Photo: J.hagelüken, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Liqueur · From Bladwijzer

Oak-leaf wine

Updated on 9 October 2026

• Makes: ± 1.2 litres
• Time: 15 min + 6 weeks steeping + 1 month resting
• From: English oak

Ingredients

• 40 young oak leaves (± 2 handfuls)
• 1 litre red wine
• 150 g sugar
• 100 ml brandy or cognac

Method

1. Pick the leaves from a tree without processionary caterpillars, rinse them and pat dry.
2. Put them in a large glass jar, add the wine, sugar and brandy and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Close and leave to steep for 6 weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake now and then.
4. Strain through a coffee filter and pour into clean bottles.
5. Leave to rest for another month and serve chilled as an aperitif.

Storing: Keeps for a year in a cool, dark place.