Barberry wine

Barberry wine is a wonderful drink, the first memories of which date back to the period of the Sumerian era. Already at that time, connoisseurs knew that the liquid can 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 by oneself, a person will do it annually, as the result is worth the time and effort 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 fruits also contain acids (malic, tartaric, citric), glucose, fructose and other beneficial substances.

Moderate consumption of homemade barberry wines will help improve blood flow, detoxify the body, and maintain youthfulness.

The subtleties of making barberry wine

To make wine at home, use fresh or frozen barberry fruits. It is recommended to pick berries in late autumn after the first frosts. 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 process the container for wine. The container is washed in boiling water or sterilized. Be sure to wipe dry. Also, a large wooden spoon is used to knead the future wine.

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

Barberry wine recipes at home

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

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

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

Yeast homemade barberry wine

Making homemade wine will take a lot of time, but the result is worth it.

Required components:

• barberry (fresh or frozen berries) – 1,5 kg;
• wine yeast – 1 pack;
• sugar – 1 kg;
• water – 6 l.

Recipe for making homemade wine from barberry with yeast:

1. Carefully sort out the berries.
2. Wash raw materials with running water.
3. Pour the berries into a convenient container (it is better to use glass containers, but enameled, plastic, plastic dishes are also suitable).
4. Crush the fruits with a pusher (some owners use a food processor or meat grinder for this purpose).
5. Dilute 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, be sure to mix the future wine.
11. On the 4th day, strain the liquid through cheesecloth. Squeeze the juice out of the berries as much as possible. Throw away used fruit.
12. Take a prepared 10 liter bottle with a wide neck. Fill it with liquid to 2/3 of the volume. Add 250 g of granulated sugar. Mix thoroughly until completely dissolved.
13. Hermetically seal the bottle with the future wine. To do this, you can use a homemade water seal, a special nylon cover purchased in advance, or a rubber glove.
14. Remove the container in a dark place for 5-6 days for re-fermentation. The fact that the process is proceeding correctly will be seen by the raised glove.
15. Remove 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 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 fallen glove and the resulting sediment.
17. Drain the young wine. Sediment is not needed, drain it separately. Try wine. If necessary, add more sugar to it.
18. You can already pour the wine up to the neck of the container. Put on the glove again. Remove for 2 weeks.
19. Drain without sediment into bottles to the top. Seal tightly. Remove (a cellar or other cold place is suitable) for aging for 3-6 months. Check containers regularly. When sediment appears, drain the wine.
20. Pour into bottles, serve.

Yeast-free barberry wine

For the preparation of such wine, instead of yeast, a special sourdough is used, made at home 3-4 days before the main process.

Necessary ingredients:

• barberry – 1 kg;
• water – 5,2 l;
• raisins (unwashed) – 100 g;
• sugar – 1,2 kg.

Preparing homemade sourdough:

1. Pour raisins into a glass liter container, 1 tbsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. pure water. Mix.
2. Cover with gauze. Remove to a dark place before fermentation begins.
3. Filter the liquid with gauze. Throw away the used raisins.

The preparation of the wine itself takes place according to the standard scheme described above.

Honeysuckle with barbaris

This drink has a wonderful mild taste and a small alcohol degree.

Required components:

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

Starter Ingredients:

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

Starter preparation:

1. Prepare a glass bottle with a volume of 0,5 liters.
2. Pour unwashed raisins, sugar and chilled water into it.
3. Make a stopper out of cotton. Cork. Put in a dark place for 4 days.
4. Strain, removing the sediment and berries.

How to make mead:

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

Barberry liqueur

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

Ingredients:

• 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;
• zest of a medium-sized orange;
• cloves – 2-3 buds;
• Cinnamon – 0,5 sticks.

Recipe for barberry liqueur:

1. Put the berries in a glass container.
2. Pour in your chosen alcohol. Cork.
3. Put in a dark place for 2 weeks. Shake liquid every 2 days.
4. Add cloves, cinnamon and orange zest.
5. Remove in a dark place for another 15 days. Do not forget to regularly shake the future liquor.
6. Filter the liquid with gauze. Discard berries and spices.
7. From water and sugar (1: 2) in a saucepan, prepare syrup. Keep it on low heat for 3-5 minutes. after boiling. Take off the foam. Cool syrup to room temperature.
8. Combine infusion with syrup. Pour into convenient bottles. Preferably store in a cool place.

thick liquor

Preparing a tart, viscous and very healthy liquor is quite simple.

Necessary 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 barberry fruits, vanilla, sugar into a container.
3. Pour in alcohol. To cover with a lid.
4. Remove for 1 month in a dark place.
5. Filter the liquid. Squeeze the berry and remove.
6. Pour into convenient bottles.
7. Insist 30 more days.

Terms and conditions of storage

For fragrant 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 beverages should be stored in a cool place, while keeping the bottles well corked. Then barberry wine and tinctures will stand 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 reach this time.

Conclusion

Barberry wine is a fragrant drink that will not leave indifferent any of the guests of the house. It is important to remember that it has both beneficial properties and contraindications. Wine, tincture and liquor, prepared at home by caring hands, will pleasantly warm you during the cold months.