Simmer gently for 4-6 hours (see Kitchen tip, above), checking the water level every couple of hours to ensure it doesn’t dry out – top up if needed with boiling water.

Sacred Christmas Pudding Gin has a lengthy and creamy finish that reveals extra layers of flavour, such as dried currants and spices. All the botanicals used, from the juniper to the signature flowers and herbs, are tended by hand using no chemicals or fertilisers whatsoever, before being hand-picked, air dried, and lovingly infused.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared basin and level – there should be a 2cm gap at the top to allow for rising. Grease the paper well with butter, then,keeping both together, fold a 2-3cm pleat in the middle to allow for expansion.

We asked the residents of St Albans what aromas they most associate with St Albans, and this is the result: St Albans’ first gin. Please always read the labels, warnings, and directions provided with the product before using or consuming a product.

I first tried this on a gin journey tour and was intrigued by it by the back story and the innovative way of distilling even before trying it. Also makes an excellent participant in the Sacred Negroni - tried and tested with a twist of orange peel.

Whilst one must be careful to look out for these coins to avoid any unnecessary trips to the dentist, it is believed that the finder of these hidden pennies is blessed with good luck. Please help us to improve our Sipping Society Members' experience by letting us know why you've decided to cancel using the options below. The General Wine Company is a family-owned and operated wine merchant in Liphook, Hampshire, England. The ultimate Christmas gin, Sacred Christmas Pudding Gin is made with real Christmas Puddings, from a Victorian recipe belonging to Ian Hart's Great Aunt Nellie, printed on the inside of the back label. Ian and Hilary made 48 kg in 2015 of his great aunt Nellie's recipe - steamed for 8 hours and then macerated with English grain spirit for 2 months, before re-distilling it and producing an unfiltered (yes there can be a tiny bit of sediment) Christmas Pudding Gin.In 2012, The Secret Garden Distillery was no more than a derelict plot of land at the foot of the Pentland Hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh. You will definitely want to decant your Christmas pudding gin into pretty bottles if it is a Christmas gift.

Soft dark brown or muscavado sugar adds notes of treacle and caramel, while a lighter sugar would pair well with lighter fruits. We Actually Made 48 Kg In 2015 Of My Great Aunt Nellies Recipe - Steamed For 8 Hours And Then Macerated With English Grain Spirit, Juniper Berries And Then Redistilled For A Refreshing Alternative To Stodgy Puddings - Serve From The Freezer After The Turkey! Christmas is the perfect excuse to dust off one’s cocktail kit and impress your nearest and dearest with some delicious tipples. Another Christmas pudding custom, harking back to the Victorian Era, is hiding pennies within the pudding. If you plan to make lots of liqueurs, then it is worth investing in an inexpensive filter coffee cone and filters.Once cool, remove the paper and foil and replace with a new set of wrappings, as before, ready for when you want to re-steam and serve. At this stage, you can rebalance the flavours if necessary, by adding a little extra sugar, fruit or spice and leaving for a couple of days longer. A rich 'cakey' mouthfeel, candied peel and raisins are at the forefront of this gin, which might be taken as a shot from the freezer instead of Christmas Pudding, lengthened with a dash of tonic, or mixed into any festive cocktail. Made Christmas puddings according to his Great Aunt Nellie's recipe, which were then steamed for 8 hours and then macerated with English grain spirit for 2 months and redistilled - a real labour of love and the whole street smelt of Christmas pudding for days.