Flavoured Alcohol (Homemade)

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I have made some blood orange gin but it still tastes a bit "raw". I steeped it for a couple of months then I strained it and it has been maturing for a further couple of months. I've just had a taste and I think it could do with being a bit smoother.

What can I do?

Would adding some more sugar help? Sugar syrup?

I'm planning to drink it either mixed with ordinary lemonade or cranberry flavoured lemonade (don't like tonic).

Have you tested it mixed with the lemonade? That might take the sharpness from it? Otherwise yes, I'd add some sugar and just leave it to dissolve.
Incidentally - what gin did you use? I make flavoured vodkas and find the quality of the vodka really affects the end result so I no longer use cheapo vodka!

More sugar,

You always need about double what you think you do with citrus fruits.

Thank you both. I used Gordon's @MyFokMarelize

I've added some more sugar and I'll see how it matures. I think if I intend to drink it with cranberry lemonade I may leave it until Christmas. The raspberry gin I made at the same time is lovely so I think it might be the citrus effect @RoomR0613

Add more sugar - citrus fruit gins can be quite astringent - it's the peel.

For future ref Gordon's isn't great gin to make fruit Gins from - Morrison's London dry gin is the best one I've found, cheap and a good base flavour

I make loads of flavours now generally with stuff we grow
Plum
Damson
Sloe
Raspberry
Strawberry & lavender
Strawberry & black pepper
BlackBerry
Blueberry
Blackcurrant
Spiced orange
Rhubarb
Gooseberry

Keep it longer. It will continue to improve and the rough edges mellow. I keep my sloe gin for at least 5 years before drinking and it's lush.

Thank you @wonkylegs I'll bear Morrison's gin in mind for my future infusions. I made red currant gin last year and that was lovely, particularly mixed with prosecco.

5 years @Elphame I admire your restraint. I spent years and years saying that I didn't like gin. I have since discovered that I don't like tonic and gin is lovely.

And try dishwasher Werthers vodka, it’s amazing. I can’t make it anymore cos I drink too much of it!

I made double quantities for a couple of years!

Nettle vodka is also lovely but really does have to be kept for a few years before drinking.

I have no restraint when it comes to rhubarb gin. It's being drunk as soon as it's made! I can't keep up.

Rhubarb gin is to die for

@Cherrysoup Can I get the recipe for the vodka from you please? Though I suspect I may join you in the "drink too much of it" club

@SuperPixie247 take out a good glug of vodka from a full bottle. Smash up a packet of Werthers, the tube of sweets or small packet. Pour into bottle. Seal top as hard as possible. Wrap clingfilm round the seal. Put in dishwasher on hottest cycle. Alllow to cool, refrigerate.

You can do the same with Skittles, although you might have to skim/sieve through a muslin cloth to remove the residue. Pretty colours too. Make one of each colour!