A healthy wild plum tree or damson tree in a plastic pot covered with twigs of a plum tree carrying fresh blue plum fruits and a jar of damson jam next to it, in front of a wooden gift crate and a small pile of wood wool.

Delectable damson gin

This jewel-like dark red gin has a wonderfully tart flavour and makes a brilliant base for cocktails.

A little snifter of damson gin is also rather a delicious way of livening up a chilly winter evening. This easy recipe makes one bottle of damson gin.

500g damsons, leaves and stalks removed.
250g caster sugar
1 litre basic gin

Place the damsons in a large plastic bag and freeze them overnight.
The next day, bash the damsons with a rolling pin to break them up a little, and place them into a sterilised wide-mouthed jar.
Add the sugar and gin and close. Shake the jar until the sugar has dissolved, then place in a dark place for up to three months.
Shake the jar every week.
After three months, strain the contents of the jar through a coffee filter or muslin and pour the gin into a clean bottle.
You can start drinking the gin straight away or keep it sealed and leave it to mature for up to another 6 months.