Wild service berry liqueur

Name: Wild service berry liqueur
Total time: 42 d 20 min
Yield: ± 700 ml
Ingredients: 300 g bletted wild service berries; 500 ml jenever or vodka of 40 %; 150 g sugar (or rock sugar); 1 vanilla pod (optional)

Updated on 9 October 2026

Makes: ± 700 ml
Time: 20 min + 6 weeks steeping
From: Wild service tree

Ingredients

300 g bletted wild service berries
500 ml jenever or vodka of 40 %
150 g sugar (or rock sugar)
1 vanilla pod (optional)

Method

Wash the berries, remove the stalks and throw away any rotten or mouldy ones. Prick each berry with a fork.
Put the berries with the sugar and the split vanilla pod in a clean 1-litre jar and pour in the alcohol until everything is covered. Close the jar.
Leave to steep for 6 weeks in a dark place at room temperature. Shake every few days until the sugar has dissolved.
Strain through a fine cloth or a coffee filter, pressing the berries lightly.
Pour the liqueur into clean bottles and leave to mature for another 2–4 weeks before serving.

Storing: A year or longer in a cool, dark place. The liqueur contains about 25 % alcohol: enjoy in moderation.