Blackberry Vinegar

Blackberry Vinegar is a fabulous way to preserve the flavour of blackberries. It’s very easy to make and will add a special flavour to your salad dressings, marinades, sauces and more.

Why should I make Blackberry Vinegar?

Blackberry Vinegar is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Its combination of sweetness and sharpness enhances both sweet and savoury dishes whether as a marinade before cooking or simply drizzled over grilled meats.

If you forage for blackberries in the hedgerows each year, you are probably looking for different recipes to use the berries you’ve gathered. Blackberry vinegar is a great recipe to choose and it also makes a welcome gift for anyone who loves cooking.

What ingredients do I need for Blackcurrant Vinegar

You only need a few ingredients to make this flavoursome vinegar. You are likely to already have some of them in your larder. Here is what you need:

• blackberries
• red wine vinegar
• sugar

Scroll to the end of this article to find the full recipe and all quantities of ingredients, with step-by-step photo instructions.

What are blackberries?

Blackberries are the fruit of a usually prickly bush which is part of the rose family. Each individual blackberry, when ripe, is made up of 20-50 single seeds known as drupelets that are small, juice-filled, and a deep purplish-black when ripe.

Are brambles the same as blackberries?

In Scotland blackberries are known as brambles, the terms can be used interchangeably. Sometimes the long, prickly arching stems are referred to as the brambles and the fruit the blackberries. Whatever you call them, they are absolutely delicious!

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about foraging for blackberries I have written a longer piece in my post for Blackberry & Apple Jelly.

Can I use frozen blackberries to make Blackberry Vinegar?

You can use frozen blackberries, but you will need to let them defrost before making the vinegar infusion, as you need to mash them up before mixing with the vinegar.

WHAT KIND OF VINEGAR SHOULD I USE?

I have chosen to use red wine vinegar as it helps to give the finished blackcurrant vinegar a rich deep colour. You can make it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but the colour will be lighter. I don’t recommend using malt vinegar for this recipe as the flavour is too harsh and strong.

WHAT KIND OF SUGAR SHOULD I USE FOR BLACKBERRY VINEGAR?

I use white granulated sugar because it adds sweetness without adding any additional flavours. You could use caster/superfine sugar but it’s not necessary, granulated sugar is perfect.

The ratio of fruit, vinegar, and sugar can be adjusted according to taste, with more sugar yielding a syrupy, almost cordial-like vinegar, and less resulting in a sharper, more acidic condiment.

DO I HAVE TO ADD SUGAR?

You can bottle blackcurrant vinegar without sugar, however one of the jobs the sugar does is to help preserve the vinegar. So, if you don’t add sugar and boil the fruit vinegar, then you need to store it in the fridge and use within 3 weeks.

HOW SHOULD I STORE BLACKBERRY VINEGAR?

Store the fruit vinegar in a sterilised bottle or jar and keep it in a cool dark place. The sweetened and boiled vinegar will keep unopened for up to a year. Once opened store it in the fridge and use within 3 months.

I recommend storing fruit vinegar in small (250 ml) bottles so that you can use it before it starts to oxidise and lose its deep colour, bright flavour and fruity aroma. It also means you are more likely to be able to use it all within 3 months.

HOW DO I STERILISE THE BOTTLE FOR THE VINEGAR?

Find out why you should sterilise your bottles and about the different methods you can use to sterilise bottles and jars in this article.

CAN I INCREASE THE QUANTITIES THAT I MAKE?

Yes, you can make as much a Blackberry Vinegar as you want. Simply increase the ingredients. You could make up a few bottles as it makes an ideal gift or you could include it in a homemade hamper.

VEGETARIAN

Blackberry Vinegar is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This recipe does not include any animal-derived ingredients, making it an excellent choice to add extra flavour to plant-based diets.

GLUTEN FREE

This recipe is gluten-free. There are no wheat products in this recipe, making it suitable for a gluten-free diet. However, I recommend that you check every ingredient to ensure it meets your specific dietary requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Blackberry Vinegar?

You can use Blackberry Vinegar as you would red wine vinegar or other fruit vinegars. Here are some ideas you may enjoy:

• Salad Dressing A splash of blackberry vinegar instantly brightens up a green salad, especially those featuring goat cheese, walnuts, apples, or roasted beetroot. Whisk it with olive oil, a hint of mustard, and a touch of honey to create a vibrant vinaigrette.
• Marinades and sauces Blackberry vinegar makes a distinctive marinade for poultry, pork, or game, lending both tenderising acidity and subtle fruitiness. It can also be reduced into a glossy sauce, perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or even rich fish like salmon.
• Desserts and Baking A drizzle of blackberry vinegar can lift fruit salads, poached pears, or vanilla ice cream. It can also be used in baking, where its acidity can balance the sweetness of cakes, muffins, or fruit compotes.
• Preserves Use blackberry vinegar as a base for pickling, it imparts a unique colour and flavour to onions, beetroot, or cucumbers. It can be added to chutneys, relishes, and savoury jams for depth and brightness.

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