Damson Gin Recipe

damson gin

Damson Gin Recipe Submitted by Nicola

This Damson Gin Recipe originates from the ‘Drinking with Dickens’ book, written by Cedric Dickens (great great grandson of Charles!, which includes all the recipes of drinks mentioned in all of  Dickens books. My grandfather was Cedric Dickens drinking partner in WWII, and the book was passed down to me.

Ingredients for Damson Gin:

  • 1 lb Damsons
  • 1lb sugar
  • 1 bottle of gin (750ml is you like it syrupy, 1 litre if you like less syrupy- both work ok).

Method for Damson Gin:

  1. Prick damsons, put into a clean sterilised glass container that can be sealed. (Demi Johns are perfect)
  2. Add sugar and shake every day until the sugar is very pink.
  3. Add gin, shake and store in a dark place. Turn and swill fruit around once a day until sugar has dissolved then leave and shake occasionally.
  4. After 3 months, strain and bottle.
  5. Damsons usually ready in September which means gin is ready for bottling just before Christmas.

Top tips:

  1. Works well with Vodka or Bacardi also.
  2. Same recipe works well with sloeberries.
  3. Rather than pricking the damsons, freeze them and when you take them out of the freezer, they split naturally.

When fruit has been used, de-stone and dry on a low heat for a few hours in the oven. The fruit can be used for fruit cakes or Christmas pudding (it really does make such a difference using the damsons!)

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76 comments on “Damson Gin Recipe
  1. Gill Lacey says:

    I have got 2ltr jars will these jars be to big for the receipe of 1lb damsons to 1ltr of gin

  2. Andy Mitchell says:

    I made damson and sloe gin years ago. I now live in The Netherlands, so I’m going to use Dutch jenever instead of British gin. It should come out great, as jenever is drier and less perfumed. It should let the fruit flavours really develop. I’ll keep you all posted.

  3. Andy Mitchell says:

    @Gill Lacey: They are the perfect size. I made a litre of Damson Gin this afternoon. I used a litre of Dutch jonge jenever, (Dutch young gin) as I live in The Netherlands and it is cheaper than British gin. It all fitted nicely in a 2 litre mason jar.

  4. Joyce Johnson says:

    I split my damsons open after using them for damson gin and dried them in a slow oven. I then used them in fruit cakes or nibbled on them.

  5. Tom says:

    @Gill Lacey:
    Hi Gill just made sloe gin today and the 2 lt jars held 1lb of sloes and 1lt of gin with 150 grms of castor sugar no problem, enough space at top of jar for shaking it all up.

  6. VERNON GRIFFITHS says:

    JUST BOTTLED 2lb OF DAMSONS TO 2lb OF SUGAR AND AFTER 4 DAYS THE RESULT IS NOW BLOOD RED IT LOOKS FAB AND TASTES EVEN BETTER, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TO LATE TO ADD THE GROG OR WILL IT BE OK. I HAVE DONE 2 BATCHES OF THE SAME AMOUNTS ONE FOR WHITE RUM AND ONE FOR GIN. REGARDS GRIFF.

  7. Pat says:

    I have a damson tree in my garden so I am having a bash at this recipe. I used kilner jars and popped the fruit & sugar in 10 days ago, before going on leave.

    I came home this morning to find a lovely gooey liquid on top of the sugar which I have now stirred up and will work for a day or so before adding the Gin.

    It looks and tastes good

    Pat

  8. gillian dyson says:

    Hi Vernon, just made my second demi john of damson gin/rum. Was surprised to find that some recipes have different amounts of sugar. If it makes it too sweet I will just have to put more alcohol in it.
    merry christmas 2012.@
    VERNON GRIFFITHS:

  9. Annie says:

    @janet bethel:
    I used the damsons after straining to make Delia’s Spiced Damson Chutney – it really had an extra kick. You can also make a really wicked Damson Crumble.

  10. Have just bottled my damson gin and would like to know if and how I can use the gin soaked fruit in any way?

  11. sue says:

    I always use well washed out plastic milk bottles, the 2 litre ones so plenty of sloshing around room. ENJOY

  12. June Buchan says:

    Is it really too late to make some for Christmas? What would it be like after only a month? Any views welcome and thanks.

  13. Lorraine says:

    Do I need to sterilise new, shop bought bottles before I decant my damson/sloe gin into them? If so, do I need to let them cool down before I do this?

  14. Carol says:

    First time I’ve ever had a go at this, wow really good, a little too sweet for us though so I diluted it down with more Gin and left it one more week before I strained it, will be making more next year 🙂

  15. Andy Mitchell says:

    Update on the batch I made in September using Dutch Gin, (jenver). It is fantastic! Proost, prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuwjaar.

  16. Jen Smiles says:

    @Leone Evrenos: Hi Leone, where did you get your sloeberries, I have never seen them over here.

    Cheers Jen

  17. Jen Smiles says:

    @Sharon: Hi Sharon, have you tried bin inn for your demi johns.

    cheers Jen

  18. Heather March says:

    I have just been out tasting my damsons to see if they’re ripe [I’m in New Zealand] and they are, so this recipe arrived in the nick of time. Thanks, and all the comments are very interesting. Cheers, Heather

  19. sandie fletcher says:

    Ha..I’ve just been round at a friends picking Damsons..thought about jam..but thinking gin sounds much more fun! Thanks for the recipe..Sandie – also in New Zealand

  20. Doreen says:

    Use the Damsons to make a fruit pie our family love this.

  21. Moira Wilkinson says:

    Try it with vermouth instead of gin, you will not regret it. (Use less sugar) I don’t know quantities as I tend to wing it.

  22. Jane says:

    Don’t forget you can cover the damsons in melted chocolate after they’ve been used in the gin. Just cool in fridge to solidify. Bit messy but delightful result. Good Christmas gifts!

  23. Gretchen says:

    Hi Moira Wilkenson. I’m interested in trying Vermouth, how much less sugar? And do you drink straight as a liquor or dilute with Soda water or lemonade?? (From NZ too)

  24. Elaine says:

    I used the strained and stoned damsons in a Black Forest type gateau. Delicious

  25. Angie says:

    How long can the damsons be left in the kilner jars with the gin? We have put damsons in with the sugar today. We will be around to see the sugar go very pink and to add gin. We will also be able to swill gin around for a few weeks until the sugar dissolves but then we are away until March….will this affect anything?

  26. Norman Mayes says:

    After straining try returning the damsons to the jar and add 1lt fortified British wine. Again leave for 3months to infuse, adding sugar as necessary.

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