SLOE CHOCOLATE VODKA

Prep Time: 30 mins Cooking Time: 0 Serves: Makes 750ml

This makes an unusual and stunning after-dinner liqueur, or you could offer it with a biscuit or slice of cake as a dessert. You can serve it cold, but I prefer it gently warmed through. Just stand the bottle in a bowl of hot water for about 5 minutes before pouring into small glasses.

Ingredients

500ml vodka

250g freshly picked sloes (or damsons if you prefer)

100g granulated sugar (more if you prefer a sweeter drink)

200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped. Suggestion, Venezuelan Rio Caribe 72

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Method

Place all the ingredients in a stainless steel saucepan. Heat very gently over a really low heat until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is hot, taking care not to let it boil.

Carefully pour or spoon into a sterilized, wide necked glass jar, seal and leave in a cool place for 2 months.

Strain, then pour through a sterilized funnel into a sterilized bottle and seal.

Always shake the bottle before pouring, as the chocolate tends to settle on the bottom over time.

Alternatively take 600ml of sloe vodka that you made earlier and simply melt 200g of chocolate into it over a low heat.