Chokecherry Liqueur

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Chokecherry liqueur is a little taste of the wild prairies, bottled and corked for your personal enjoyment. The process is surprisingly easy, and the wait is well worth it to enjoy this berry at its flavorful best!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Vegan

Servings: ¼ cup servings

Calories: 255kcal

Author: Joss Dyckson

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups chokecherries thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with cool water
1 cup sugar
2 cups spirits either whiskey, white rum, vodka or gin

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the chokecherries and sugar in a large, clean, (1 quart) sealable glass jar.
2 cups chokecherries, 1 cup sugar
Fill the jar with the spirit of choice. Seal and shake to mix.
2 cups spirits
Let the mixture sit for 4 to 6 weeks in a cool, dark place for best flavor. Shake it a few times throughout the first day to help dissolve the sugar and then once every 2 days after that.
Strain the mixture through two layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter, placed inside of a mesh strainer, to make it clear. Just let it sit there until it stops dripping. Discard the leftover fruit. Repeat, if needed, to get all of the solids strained out.
Funnel the strained liquid into a glass bottle. Seal the bottle or jar.
Store in the refrigerator to retain quality and freshness. Enjoy well chilled.

Notes

Tips:

Use a canning funnel when adding chokecherries and sugar to the jar.
When picking, I like to cusp my entire hand around the bunch and pull down to release the berries, which helps to avoid getting any leaves or twigs in the pail and it's quicker. If any leaves did sneak into the pail, pick them out when cleaning the berries, along with any that look smushed.
Chokecherry picking times: Late July to mid-September. Some people wait for the first frost of the fall for a sweeter berry. However, sometimes the birds will get at them before you.
Label the jar with date and type of berry/alcohol; you don't want things getting mixed up.
Wear an apron or work shirt because it’s likely to get stained, especially during the straining process.
Store in the refrigerator to retain quality and freshness for up to a few months. Always check for signs of spoilage such as mold, odor, flavor or color change.

Nutrition