How to sterilize your equipment/bottles and jars
- Boil them in plain water
- Wash them in hot soapy water then put them in the oven (lids, too) at 170 degrees Celsius
- Put them through a dishwasher cycle
NB The Kilner bottles I used had plastic or rubber stoppers, so I put mine through a dishwasher cycle rather than in the oven. Jam lids are usually fine in the oven. Fill your bottles or jars when they are still hot.
The alcohol preserves the fruit, but I also always use spirits which are 40% ABV.
Pomegranate and Vanilla Vodka
This makes enough for 3 x 250ml bottles or a large 1 litre preserving bottle
Ingredients
- 120g or 2/3 cup fresh pomegranate seeds (roughly the amount from one large pomegranate or a packet)
- 3 Fairtrade vanilla pods (I used Ndalli pods)
- 75cl bottle vodka (40%ABV)
- 220g or one cup sugar
- 240ml or one cup water
Method
- Sterilize your bottles and funnel, if using (see above for How to Sterilize tips)
- Put the pomegranate seeds and vanilla pods into sterilized bottles or one large litre Kilner jar. Carefully pour in the vodka.
- Put the sugar and water in a pan, boil for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves. Leave to cool slightly.
- Pour the cooled sugar syrup into the vodka and shake well. Store in a cool, dark place and shake every few days.
- Before drinking or giving as a gift, strain the vodka into a newly sterilized bottle or container, removing the pomegranate seeds.
- Pour the strained vodka into three smaller sterilized bottles, adding a pod to each one and a few fresh pomegranate seeds.
After just a couple of days, the vodka has turned a beautiful translucent peachy colour. When you shake it, you see pretty specks of vanilla.
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