Beech Leaf Noyau Recipe

As we were out collecting sloe leaves (and having a very nice walk with the dog through the lovely spring woods) we thought we would give this a go too. Different kind of drink, but the leaves are MUCH easier to collect (they just strip off a branch where as the sloe ones are tiny and have to be individually picked due to the thorniness of the branches). You need the lovely green fresh spring leaves to make it.

A jar for the drink to mature in
Enough beech leaves to fill the jar (loosely packed)
Enough gin to pretty much fill your jar (we are also trying one with fruit alcohol - similar to vodka I guess)
200g of sugar to 70cl of gin (or adjust according to taste)
20cl of brandy to 70cl of gin (many people prefer it without the brandy - that is what we are going for this year)

Put the leaves in the jar and fill it with the gin.
Leave for about 3 weeks.
Heat the sugar in 1ml of water for each 1g of sugar (ie 200ml of water for 200g of sugar)
Allow to cool and mix in a bowl with the flavored gin (add the syrup slowly and taste as you go until you think it is right - some people say they prefer no sugar so taste before you start adding it!).
Add the brandy to the mix (if using) and bottle.
Improves with age