Raspberry Vinegar

Ingredients

• 6 cups white wine vinegar
• 1 pint red raspberries
• 1/2 pint red raspberries, for decoration (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a medium, nonreactive saucepan over low heat, warm the vinegar just until it begins to give off steam (do not bring to a boil).

2. 2

   Put 1 pint of the raspberries into a fine sieve fitted over a sterilized 1/2-gallon clamp jar.

3. 3

   Pour the warm vinegar over the berries and let it run into the jar, then add the berries to the jar.

4. 4

   Allow the mixture to cool 20 to 30 minutes to room temperature, then seal and shake the jar gently.

5. 5

   Set the jar out of direct sunlight and away from heat to steep for 4 days, shaking it every so often. While steeping, the vinegar will take on a raspberry hue and the fruit will lose most of its color.

6. 6

   Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large batter bowl with a handle or into a large, nonreactive saucepan.

7. 7

   Rinse the jar and return the strained vinegar to it. Rinse the bowl or saucepan.

8. 8

   Dump the fruit and rinse the sieve. Dampen a flat-bottom coffee filter, then line the sieve with the filter and fit it over the bowl or saucepan.

9. 9

   Transfer the vinegar to flasks or bottles. Discard fruit.

10. 10

    If you wish, spear 6 to 8 whole raspberries on a wooden skewer and put the skewer into the container before filling.

11. 11

    The vinegar should be ready to use immediately, with a shelf life of at least 1 year.

12. 12

    VARIATION: For Raspberry Lemon Thyme Vinegar, place 1 sprig fresh lemon thy me in a flask or bottle before adding the vinegar. Fill, seal, and steep out of direct sunlight and away from heat for 1 week before using or shipping.

13. 13

    CRANBERRY VINEGAR Follow the recipe for Raspberry Vinegar, except substitute 4 cups (1 pound) fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped, for the raspberries. Decorate, if you wish, with skewers of whole cranberries.