chokecherry vinegar

Chokecherry Vinegar Drink

/ Re-Farmer / 3 Comments

I finally got some photos of a drink mixed using the chokecherry vinegar I made not long ago.

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I have been using it for other things already.  One of the things I like to do is put some frozen mixed berries in container to thaw out over night and enjoy them with breakfast.  Usually, I sprinkle a bit of vanilla sugar over them while they are still frozen.  I tried it with a drizzle of chokecherry vinegar, and it worked out very well!  It made plain, ordinary toaster waffles really something!

I’ve drizzled some over fresh cantaloupe, which was also really nice.  It would work just as well over any melon or fruit salad.  The vinegar adds just the right tang.

For a drink, we spooned some over some ice (about 3-4 tablespoons for a large glass), then added ginger ale.20180811.chokecherry.vinegar.gingerale

Give it a bit of a stir, and that’s it!

Very refreshing.

I don’t actually enjoy ginger ale as a drink on its own, but I do like it as a mix.  Half and half with orange juice or cranberry juice, with frozen berries instead of ice, is a favorite of mine.  This chokecherry vinegar would be right at home in any drink like that!

Perfect for a 34C day!

Original recipe here.

The Re-Farmer

Making Chokecherry Vinegar

/ Re-Farmer / 7 Comments

The original recipe for this can be found here.

I adjusted the original recipe for my quantity of chokecherries.

Chokecherry Vinegar20180802.washing.chokecherries
Soaking time: 24 hours
First boil: 5 minutes
Second boil: 2 minutes

5 cups chokecherries
1 2/3 cups vinegar
1 2/3 cups water
sugar

Wash and mash the berries.  Place them in a glass bowl (I mashed the washed berries in the bowl).

Combine vinegar and water.  Pour over the mashed berries.

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Vinegar and water solution poured over mashed chokecherries.

Let stand for 24 hours.

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Chokecherry and vinegar mix, after 24 hours.

Place in a large saucepan and slowly bring to a boil.

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Make sure to use a large enough pot to give the chokecherry mixture room to expand as it boils.

Boil for 5 minutes.

Strain through jelly bag.  Do not squeeze.

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I placed a moistened jelly roll bag into a large measuring cup.  Layers of cheese cloth can be used instead.

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I used an elastic band to close up the bag and hang it over the measuring cup.

Measure 1 cup of sugar for each cup of juice.

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I got just under 3 cups of liquid from the 5 cups of berries.

Combine chokecherry liquid and sugar into a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.

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While boiling the berry liquid with the sugar, I could really smell the vinegar!

After boiling for 2 minutes, allow to settle.

Bottle, let cool, and refrigerate for up to 6 months.

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I sterilized a quart jar and a small pitcher with a liquid tight seal to store the chokecherry vinegar.  The pitcher will be a gift for my mother.

To use: put ice in a glass.  Add 2-4 tablespoons of chokecherry vinegar.  Fill with water, club soda, ginger ale or sparkling water.

Enjoy!

The Re-Farmer