Ruby Red Raspberry Vinegar And Old Fashioned Vinegar Syrup Recipes

RUBY-RED RASPBERRY VINEGAR AND OLD-FASHIONED VINEGAR SYRUP

Steps:

• Rinse the fresh berries under cold running water and drain well. Place into a glass or stainless steel bowl and lightly crush the berries (no need to crush the frozen berries).
• Stir in the vinegar, cover with a clean towel, and let stand 48 hours.
• Strain the vinegar through a fine mesh sieve (line with cheesecloth or a clean coffee filter if the mesh is not fine enough).
• Pour into sterilized bottles and seal. Store in a cool cupboard or storage pantry, out of direct sunlight. Use as a salad condiment. Can also be used as a beverage (allow 2 to 3 tablespoons per 8 ounces of ice water), and sweeten to taste. Makes 2 1/2 cups of raspberry vinegar.
• For use as a beverage, you can mix the raspberry vinegar with 1 cup of Simple Syrup (simple syrup is made by boiling equal parts--or in this case, 1 cup each water and sugar--of water and sugar together until reduced and thickened to the consistency of honey). Bottle and store as above. Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar syrup to ice water, for a refreshing beverage. Makes 3 1/2 cups of raspberry vinegar syrup.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a nonreactive bowl, combine the vinegar and raspberries. Cover and let macerate for 3 days.
• Mash the raspberries in the bowl, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. To every 1 cup of juice, add ½ pound of sugar (1¼ cups plus 1 tablespoon). Combine the juice and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer (gently!) for 15 minutes. Let cool, then bottle. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 months.
• To serve, add 1 teaspoon raspberry vinegar to a tumbler filled with ice. Add water, sparkling water, rum, brandy or prosecco.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• Put the raspberries in a bowl and crush them lightly with a wooden spoon. Add the vinegar. Cover the bowl and let the fruit and vinegar steep for 4 to 5 days, stirring occasionally.
• Pour the fruit and vinegar into a jelly strainer bag or piece of cheesecloth suspended over a bowl (see p. 33) and let drain overnight. You can squeeze it a little if you like.
• Measure the liquid, then pour into a saucepan. For every cup of fruit vinegar, add 1 cup of sugar. Place over low heat and bring gently to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Boil for 8 to 10 minutes, removing any scum as it rises. Remove from the heat and let cool, then bottle and seal (see p. 125). Use within 1 year.
• Replace the raspberries with the same quantity of strawberries, black currants, or blackberries to create other fruit vinegars.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• Rinse the berries and air-dry on paper towels. Place berries in a 6-cup jar; set aside. In large saucepan, combine vinegar and sugar; bring almost to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. , Pour hot vinegar mixture over berries; cover jar tightly and let stand at room temperature 48 hours. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth into a sterilized bottle or jar. Seal tightly with a cork or lid. Store in cool dark place.