Barberry wine

Barberry wine is a wonderful drink, the first memories of which date back to the Sumerian era. Already at that time, connoisseurs knew that the liquid could not only intoxicate, but also treat all kinds of diseases. The drink has a rich red-burgundy color, sweet and sour taste and an unforgettable aroma. After the first tasting of wine prepared independently, a person will make it every year, since the result is worth the effort and time spent.

Barberry berries, as well as drinks made from it, are rich in vitamin C. Therefore, it can be used to treat colds, relieve fever and improve immunity. The fruit also contains acids (malic, tartaric, citric), glucose, fructose and other beneficial substances.

Moderate intake of barberry wines prepared at home will help improve blood flow, remove toxins from the body, and also maintain youth.

Subtleties of making barberry wine

To make wine at home, use fresh or frozen barberry fruits. It is recommended to pick the berries in late autumn after the first frost.Under the influence of low temperature, the fruits become softer and sweeter, which will save on sugar when cooking.

When preparing wine without adding yeast, there is no need to wash the fruits so as not to remove natural yeast from their surface. To avoid the appearance of mold in the drink, you need to carefully treat the wine container. The container is washed in boiling water or sterilized. Be sure to wipe dry. A large wooden spoon is also used to stir the future wine.

A large amount of water must be added to barberry wine. This is due to the fact that the fruits of the plant are not juicy and have little pulp. And you need to add more granulated sugar or honey than in the usual grape wine, since the barberry berry is quite sour. To improve the taste and aroma of the drink, in addition to the main ingredients, herbs (mint, lemon balm, vanilla) or citrus zest are added to it.

Homemade barberry wine recipes

There are various recipes for preparing alcoholic drinks from barberry. The most popular are:

• wine made with barberry yeast;
• yeast-free wine;
• mead with barberry;
• sweet and sour liqueur;
• thick liqueur.

Each of these drinks will surprise even the most demanding alcohol connoisseur with its taste.

Homemade barberry wine with yeast

Making homemade wine will take a long time, but the results are worth it.

Required components:

• barberry (fresh or frozen berries) – 1.5 kg;
• wine yeast - 1 package;
• sugar – 1 kg;
• water – 6 l.

Recipe for making homemade barberry wine with yeast:

1. Carefully sort the berries.
2. Wash the raw materials with running water.
3. Pour the berries into a convenient container (it is better to use glass containers, but enamel, plastic, plastic dishes are also suitable).
4. Mash the fruits using a pusher (some owners use a food processor or meat grinder for this purpose).
5. Dissolve yeast according to instructions.
6. Add 0.5 kg of sugar and prepared yeast to the barberry.
7. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon.
8. Cover the bucket with gauze folded in several layers.
9. Remove the bucket for 3 days, choosing a dark place for fermentation.
10. In the morning and evening, the future wine must be stirred.
11. On the 4th day, strain the liquid through cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much juice as possible from the berries. Throw away used fruits.
12. Take a prepared 10 liter bottle with a wide neck. Fill it 2/3 full with liquid. Add 250 g granulated sugar. Mix thoroughly until completely dissolved.
13. Seal the bottle of future wine hermetically. To do this, you can use a homemade water seal, a special nylon cover purchased in advance, or a rubber glove.
14. Place the container in a dark place for 5-6 days for re-fermentation. The fact that the process is proceeding correctly can be seen by the raised glove.
15. Take off the glove. Using a small hose, collect 0.5 liters of liquid in a separate container. Add 250 g of sugar to the wine. Dissolve it completely. Pour the resulting syrup into a bottle.
16. Seal the container tightly. Leave it for 1-2 months for the wine to ripen. It can be seen that the drink is actually ready by the falling glove and the sediment that has formed.
17. Drain off the new wine. The sediment is not needed; drain it separately. Try the wine.If necessary, add more granulated sugar to it.
18. You can now pour wine up to the neck of the container. Put the glove back on. Remove for 2 weeks.
19. Pour into bottles to the top without sediment. Seal tightly. Remove (a cellar or other cold place will do) to age for 3-6 months. Check containers regularly. If sediment appears, drain the wine.
20. Pour into bottles and serve.

Yeast-free barberry wine

To prepare such wine, instead of yeast, a special starter is used, made at home 3-4 days before the main process.

Required ingredients:

• barberry – 1 kg;
• water – 5.2 l;
• raisins (unwashed) – 100 g;
• sugar – 1.2 kg.

Making homemade sourdough:

1. Pour raisins, 1 tbsp into a glass liter container. sugar and 1 tbsp. clean water. Mix.
2. Cover with gauze. Place in a dark place before fermentation begins.
3. Filter the liquid using gauze. Discard used raisins.

The preparation of the wine itself follows the standard procedure described above.

Mead with barberry

This drink has a wonderful mild taste and low alcohol content.

Required components:

• barberry – 300 g;
• water – 2 l;
• natural honey – 3 kg;
• ready-made starter – 300 g;
• additional ingredients (nutmeg, cinnamon, hops) - to taste.

Sourdough ingredients:

• raisins – 200 g;
• sugar – 60 g;
• boiled water – 375 ml.

Preparing the starter:

1. Prepare a 0.5 liter glass bottle.
2. Pour unwashed raisins, sugar and chilled water into it.
3. Make a plug from cotton wool. Cork. Place in a dark place for 4 days.
4. Strain, removing sediment and berries.

Method for preparing mead:

1. Pour barberry and honey with water.
2. Boil the liquid for 20 minutes.
3. Remove any foam that has formed.
4. Cool to room temperature.
5. Add starter and additional ingredients selected to taste to the future mead.
6. Leave to ferment for a week.
7. Filter and pour into convenient containers.

Barberry liqueur

Stronger drinks can be prepared from barberry fruits. The liqueur turns out aromatic and will decorate the festive table.

Required Products:

• fresh barberry (frozen) – 200 g;
• dry barberry berry – 100 g;
• vodka 40% (moonshine or cognac) – 0.5 l;
• granulated sugar – 100-200 g;
• water – 50-100 ml;
• medium orange zest;
• cloves – 2-3 buds;
• cinnamon – 0.5 sticks.

Recipe for making barberry liqueur:

1. Place the berries in a glass container.
2. Pour in the alcohol of your choice. Cork.
3. Place in a dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the liquid every 2 days.
4. Add cloves, cinnamon and orange zest.
5. Place in a dark place for another 15 days. Don’t forget to shake the future liqueur regularly.
6. Filter the liquid using gauze. Discard berries and spices.
7. Prepare syrup from water and sugar (1:2) in a saucepan. Keep it on low heat for 3-5 minutes. after boiling. Remove foam. Cool the syrup to room temperature.
8. Combine the infusion with syrup. Pour into convenient bottles.It is advisable to store in a cool place.

Thick liquor

Making a tart, viscous and very healthy liqueur is quite simple.

Required ingredients:

• barberry – 1 kg;
• granulated sugar – 50 g;
• alcohol (50%) – 1 l;
• vanilla – 1 pod;
• dried ginger - 1 small piece.

Preparation of thick liqueur:

1. Prepare a glass jar (2 l).
2. Pour frozen barberries, vanilla, and sugar into the container.
3. Pour in alcohol. To cover with a lid.
4. Place in a dark place for 1 month.
5. Filter the liquid. Squeeze the berries and remove.
6. Pour into convenient bottles.
7. Leave for another 30 days.

Terms and conditions of storage

For aromatic wines and barberry infusions prepared at home, it is best to use glass containers. To avoid spoilage of the product, it is necessary to strictly follow all the rules for preparing drinks.

Homemade alcoholic drinks should be stored in a cool place, with the bottles well sealed. Then barberry wine and tinctures will last up to 3 years. It is generally accepted that the shelf life can reach decades, but the drinks are so tasty that they do not last that long.

Conclusion

Barberry wine is an aromatic drink that will not leave any of your house guests indifferent. It is important to remember that it has both beneficial properties and contraindications. Wine, liqueur and liqueur, prepared at home with caring hands, will pleasantly warm you up during the cold months.

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