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Q. I have been using gin-soaked raisins for joint pain. However, the clerk at the store said that if I want benefits from gin-raisins, I must buy higher-quality, more expensive brands. I have been buying the lowest-price distilled gin. He said that I am wasting my money with the less expensive gin.
Does the price of the gin makes any difference in getting benefits from gin-soaked raisins–or does this clerk want to increase his profits?
A. The very cheapest gin uses juniper flavoring added to neutral grain alcohol. You want gin distilled with real juniper berries.
No one knows exactly why gin-soaked raisins may ease joint pain, but we think that juniper berries are an essential component of the remedy. One reader sent this comment:
“Gin traditionally was flavored with juniper berries, orris root, cardamom, and coriander. Gin was originally considered a medicine, a new way to deliver the benefits of juniper berries, which had been used for centuries as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism.
“Modern gin manufacturers, particularly the cheaper brands, don’t flavor with any actual natural flavorings at all. So someone who simply soaks their raisins in the cheapest grocery store brand of gin is going to be missing out on the whole point of soaking the raisins in something–the anti-inflammatory benefits of juniper berries.”
If you are indeed buying distilled gin–not simply the cheapest gin in the liquor store–you probably are getting the benefit. Another reader made this suggestion:
“A ‘bottom shelf’ gin containing juniper berries is Gordon’s London Dry Gin – about $9-10 bucks for 750 ml here in the Pacific NW.
“From Wikipedia: ‘Gordon’s London Dry Gin was developed by Alexander Gordon, a Londoner of Scottish descent. He opened a distillery in the Southwark area in 1769, later moving in 1786 to Clerkenwell. The Special London Dry Gin he developed proved successful, and its recipe remains unchanged to this day. Triple-distilled, the gin contains juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, liquorice, orris root, orange and lemon peel.’
“I tried my gin-soaked raisins last night for the first time and woke up this morning feeling strange – ie without any pain. Gives fresh new meaning to the term ‘feeling no pain.'”
You can find detailed directions and FAQs on gin-soaked raisins and other home remedies for arthritis in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
Harris P.
USA
Should you chew the raisins first or swallow them whole?
Ray
KS
Use the drunken Raisins in place of the olives in your Martinis
Lisa
California
Anything is worth a try, especially when you are having a flare up!!
Richard Caille
Sorry for the misspelling…citrusy flavor…..or is this just about Gordons Gin ?
Richard C.
Tn
Tanqueray gin has a citrusy flavor. How does it compare as far as juniper berry benifits are concerned ??
Hal
WA
Since all gins are made with juniper berries and they are the active botanical that we are seeking to make drunken raisins, which commercial gins have the least of the other flavorings? I think those looking for expensive brands containing many other flavors are just fooling themselves. It’s the juniper berries and the botanicals derived from them that does the trick.
Len
NJ
I use Bombay sapphire and also add juniper berries to the raisin and gin then I eat about 8 raisins and 1 juniper berry every night before bed the results are unbelievable
Candi
I had not heard of this before today. I went to the Dr and he suggested I start trying this it is helping some of his other patients with RA. He said he is very concerned with the ibuprofen side affects and is asking his patients to give this a try
j. m.
San Antonio, TX
To: Candi — where does your doctor practice? I want your doctor! Mine seem like front-line salespeople for Big Pharma: “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but take this for 90 days and if no improvement, come back in.” Yours was “very concerned about side effects”! So am I !!
Kathleen
Colorado
Can I use new Amsterdam gin? It also does not have junipers on the label.
Sal
Chicago
I looked at several gin bottles in my part of the country, Chicago, and none listed contents beyond the front label, which declared it was made from 100% Grain Neutral Spirits. I went ahead and purchased the brand you recommended, Gordon’s, and plan to hope for the best. Any thoughts as to why juniper berries aren’t included on the label?
Mary
USA
The last bottle I bought of Gordon’s Gin didn’t have the juniper berries on the label. They have always been mentioned before. Are they still in the recipe?
Len
Try Bombay sapphire it has juniper on the bottle
KeithC
Grovetown Ga.
Could you infuse the gin using actual juniper berries in a mesh or cheese cloth in the raisins and gin as it soaks? And would this increase the anti-inflammatory benefits of the juniper? wkc.
Lin
North carolina
Well what do I do? Drink it, eat the raisins? Help!
Marcy
Pennsylvania
Original London Tower distilled London dry gin is made in the USA and with Juniper berries! Very reasonable and actually tastes great, even thou I always disliked Gin.
patricia wood
Midland mi
Why can’t you just add juniper berries to the cheaper gin?
Raaj
India
Hi Peoples Pharmacy,
Gordon’s London Dry Gin is not available in my area.
Can i use Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin ?
else Can you please guide me any other Gin.
CM
Illinois
I had heard of this gin/raisin therapy years ago but had forgotten about it – even though I have had problems with arthritis for several years now. My hubby brought home a printout from a fellow he knows that says how effective the drunken raisins are for ‘some’ who have arthritis. He said his doctor told him it was worth a try – that for ‘some’ it was very helpful. For him, it was, and he has been using the remedy for 10 years now. So, of course, I have decided to try it myself.
I bought the best gin Costco had – meaning, the most expensive. It is called Hendrick’s and is made in Scotland. The ingredients list was impressive: juniper, coriander, citrus peel, cucumber and rose petals. I have not used it yet – I still need to get the raisins. Just wondering if someone out there could tell me if this brand of Gin will work well. I see that many use Gordon’s. I did not see that brand but could look for it.
Thanks.
Penina
Southwest
I tell you, I’m wrung inside out
From dealing with this awful gout!
My foot’s the size of King Kong’s paw
Big and shiny, red and raw.
Thumping like the wicked sin,
They told me “Try some raisins and gin!”
“Raisins and gin?!” cried I, “You’re soft!”
“That cannot work at all!” I scoffed.
But DANG that foot was dreadful ick!
And Naprosyn just made me sick.
And Hydrocodone’s not my friend,
Sick as a hound dog, round the bend!
“Well, what’s this thing they’re all a-praisin’?”
I bought the gin, I bought some raisins.
“Let ’em soak,” the mavens cry
About a week, the days pass by.
Seven days I cannot take-
I need RELIEF, this brutal ache!
Maybe just a nip tonight
To ease me through this awful plight.
I ate a raisin… still kinda chewy
With a sip of gin… The room’s gone wooey…
“I haven’t had enough,” I think
Another raisin… another drink.
Two more raisins followed that,
And two more drinks in nothin’ flat.
Now the room is actin’ funny
By Gum those raisins are so VERY sunny!
I’d go to bed, but I can’t find
The door, the stairs, or my behind.
Now I know why all the talk!
I don’t mind the gout… cause I caint walk!
I think I’ll *hic!* call it a day
Caint feel my big toe, anyway!
Loretta L.
Will Seagrams Gin work???
JENNY
gauteng
I have started with the raisins and gin, and it’s about a week now, I had terrible pain in my knees and feet, today I have very little pain, someday no pain at all, try it for yourself and see, taking no medication at all.
KT556
Chicago suburb
Can anything INSTEAD of Gin be used — I can’t stand the taste.
Eloise
Memphis
Buy Tumeric in the grocery store. Absolutely amazing for arthritis. Just sprinkle on whatever you eat or cook it in your foods.
Connie
Lake Zurich, IL
London dry gin has less of a gin taste. I also used Tannery, and it had a stronger gin taste.
Joan S.
I have been on this method for 3 to 5 years, it does really work. One of the ABC stores said to use vodka. I had been using the gin. I could not tell any difference.
I went to a different ABC store, they said you need London Dry Gin. He sold me Beefeater. Price wasn’t bad. I take 10 raisins a day.
I am not sore like I used to be. I will try this Beefeater brand I bought, but if Gordons has the same amount of juniper berries I will continue with that brand. Beefeater was 12.90 for a 375 mi, a half pint I think; I just use a tight container with a top, put it in the fridge, then each day take 10 out as soon as I get up. Keep me informed if it changes.
david
shreveport
I dont like gin either, but these raisins taste great. I find myself eating more than needed, just because they are good. At least try it.
Leonore B
You must use blonde raisins because they are treated with sulfur.. Without the sulfur the raisins would turn dark. I tried this May 2014 and within weeks got relief. I forgot to take the raisins one day and my knee pain was back. Good luck to you. I have not forgotten since.
Chris
I tend to be skeptical of unproven folk-cures like this, but I was starting to get some pain and stiffness in my fingers, which, being a guitarist, was worrisome to say the least. Another guitarist-friend of mine mentioned the gin/raisin thing, and I thought, what the hell: let’s try it. After about a week my stiffness and pain actually did start improve… but then again, it does wax and wane anyway. However, what really got my attention was that fact that three times now I’ve stopped taking them, usually because I ran out of one or the other ingredient, and would then have to get some more and wait until a new batch was ready to consume. All three times, my symptoms got worse again. I make no categorical judgments here; it could be coincidence, it could be a subconscious placebo effect, or it could actually be some medicinal effect in the raisins. Who knows? I’m just putting it out there as an interesting anecdote.
By the way, I don’t think there’s any relevance to specifically taking NINE raisins daily. I typically just take a spoonful, a dozen more or less, without counting. Nor do I think there’s any need to wait for the liquid to evaporate completely. Just so long as the raisins plump up, say, 24-48 hours.
joy m. h.
I use dried cherries daily for its anti inflammatory benefit. Is there any reason why raisins would work better than drunk cherries? I haven’t tried either yet, I just want to know because cherries also have sulfur which is what the benefit of the blond raisins have.
pgmjc18
Where does it say to use a microwave for anything in the recipe? You are interjecting your own agenda to the instructions. Just follow the instructions. I know it doesn’t say what proportions of raisins or gin to use, but use discretion and common sense. It’s not that hard…
kay
I still think the best way is to go to the grocery store, find the spice aisle and buy some juniper berries. Add some to the gin and raisins and you’ll get the benefit of all the different ingredients.
John
Gordon’s gin is infused with juniper berries, most believe its the best gin to use. I don’t think eating 27 raisins will ever cure the gout. I have arthritis and I eat 2 teaspoons each day, approximately 25 raisins.
LM
Strange thing. I ate nine white raisins soaked in Tanquery gin for three straight days and my gout pain ceased. Ran out of Tanquery; the small liquor store run by my friend didn’t have it, but said his gout customers always asked for Gordon’s, because it was cheaper.
I bought a bottle, soaked my raisins, and not only did the gout pain in my right big toe return, after the second dose on the second morning, the gout — I swear — leaped to my LEFT big toe and was more painful than ever. What’s with that??!!
C J Faust
JDS suggested covering the raisin gin mixture with cheesecloth. That will cause the gin to evaporate & therefore, in my opinion waste perfectly good gin that I believe is an important and integral part of the recipe.
The Juniper Berry extract may also evaporate. You do NOT want that. I suggest using a container with a tight fitting lid. I use a 1 qt. Mason Jar, an ideal size.
tara
florida
hi, i will start it this week, do i have to put it in the fridge? . and i bought the cheesecloth, but i am reading it is not necessary. also i was reading to let it soak for a week – how many days, thx
digger
Thank you I have been trying to get answers about juniper content in gilbey’s gin this is the only site that has provided this much appreciated as again thank you!
John
Why try all these off brand gin recipes? Gordons gin is a 300 year old company, and the formula has not changed. Why buy a half pint, buy a liter and save money? People keep using brown raisins, there is a reason for golden raisins, they contain sulfur. Sulfur is good for joint pain. Make up a pound of raisins, cover them with gordons gin and in 2 or three days start eating them. They need no refrigeration. I eat 9 raisins in the morning and 9 raisins at night and take 3 grams of MSM daily. Was on NSAID’s for 13 years, my doctor said they were wrecking my kidneys. Sure I have pain, but what are you going to do. I just live with it.
SK Miller
I did a search on what gin tastes like and according to the reviews it tastes awful. Is there some other kind of liquid one can use with raisins to get the same effect? Or, can one mix something else with it to make it tasty?
Wendy Clement
United States
I read on another site to add some raw honey and cinnamon… you can actually buy these pre-made.
Jan
I don’t like gin either but I don’t taste the gin.
GJ
Moreno Valley, CA
I heard of this recipe about 15 years ago, but only tried it recently, because one of my friends and I have severe neck pain. I told her this past June (2015), that the pain in my neck was so bad the night before during sleep that I had a panic attack that made me jump out of bed. Regardless of that, I’d been suffering for many years with pain and occasional migraines. She’d been reading on gin-soaked golden raisins (or, currants) and she told me that we needed a particular gin, Gordon’s London Dry with the yellow label. I just happened to have that gin in my freezer for the last 15 years, untouched, from a party one of my kids had back then. We covered about 1 cup of the golden raisins in the gin and soaked them for 2 weeks, with a napkin or paper towel rubber-banded over a wide-mouthed coffee mug. For me, the taste took some getting used to. With the 1st batch I made, I could only stand to choke down 3 raisins- three times a day for my total of 9, and I dumped the rest of the gin-syrup down the sink. With the 2nd batch and forth-coming, I’ve gotten used to the taste and if any syrup is left after soaking, I can stand to have it with the currants. I take 9 before bed easily, now. I don’t have to have it all explained to me why this simple recipe works, it just does. I still need to care for and prevent pain by sleeping with my magnet-infused satin quilted head pad that I sewed around a feathered baby pillow on my back on a very comfortable bed. I put my legs up on 4 king-sized pillows (2 for each leg) which helps prevent back pain and helps the swelling in my legs go down (from varicose veins). When I had missed a dose one night, I started to get a migraine and had to take an OTC pain reliever, so I’m certain to take it, regularly. I think it’s probably fine to wait only one week, but the raisins need to be covered with the gin when you first make the batch and they should absorb all the gin, with maybe only one tablespoon of gin syrup at the bottom, by the time you start consuming them. Stir each time before you take 9. I’ve made them with the small boxes of lemon juiced golden raisins, and they taste great. I didn’t notice any less results.
E L S
When I read the article on facebook, I bought 1 pack of golden raisins and look for a gin, but because I don’t know what kind of gin ill be using (it was not stated) I just simply buy small bottle of Smirnoff gin and had my raisins soak in a glass container, it started last Monday January 13, 2014 so I will wait until Friday before I can eat 9 pcs of raisins everyday, I hope it will help me cure my arthritis by following this recipe thank you so much for the tips.
C. J. F.
Dee, you can use the raisins in cooking or baking, but I think they WILL lose substantial effectiveness in the process. The reason is that all of the alcohol will evaporate in the baking process. The effectiveness of the raisins in the interplay of the ingredients of the raisin, juniper berries and alcohol. You will be minus one key ingredient. However, don’t let this stop you from experimenting with baking with these raisins if you feel so inclined. Let us know how it turns out.
Dee Otness
Can you use the raisins in cookies or backing, or will they lose effectiveness?
C. J. F.
After reading many of these comments, the consensus is that the gin to use is Gordons. This is one of the lowest priced gins that actually is made from real juniper berries as apposed to just having juniper flavoring added. The time required to steep the raisins is 4 days to 2 weeks, depending on how much gin you want the raisins to absorb before your 1st taste. The number of raisins to include in your table spoonful of this “medication” is nine (9). At 1st you may want to start out with more than 9 then back off to the 9 regimen. Also I do NOT have a serious arthritis problem, so I take it only about twice per week. If you have an active arthritis problem, the recommended dosage is a tablespoon full per day, containing nine (9) raisins.
Hal
Must be the Gordon’s salesman who posted that. All gins have juniper berries. That’s the basis of all their formulas.
Since Gordon’s have many other off flavors added, I would not think they help at all. I have used several inexpensive brands for about 10 years now and they all work the same IMO.
john
I have not had a problem. I eat 9 each morning and 9 in the evening.
Bill
I wouldn’t recommend it for a recovering alcoholic. Might start that person drinking again. If someone is taking some type of medicine they need to consult there Dr. first before taking it also. My spouse’s Dr. told her no due to the type of medicine she takes.
john
I believe Gordons gin is the best for the drunken raisins.
Ramona
Is consumption safe for a recovering alcoholic?
Bill
I do mine different. I just put my raisins red & white in a jar & put the gin over them & put the lid back on. I then let them soak for about (4) days then eat a couple table spoon full a day. Now I don’t have to take them but every 3 or 4 months. For a couple of weeks when I first started taking them I would take a 8oz glass & drink the juice with the raisins. I haven’t taken a arthritis pill in over (8) years. I have given these to other people with arthritis & they all said it helped. One person thought he was going to have to go on disability till he tried this. All I have ever used is Seagram’s gin.
Meredith
I have chronic artritis pain in ankle, knee and hip which makes walking/stairs/getting up from chairs very difficult. I saw this remedy while trawling the internet for natural anti-inflammatories.
Though I am skeptical, I bought the raisins, good gin and a mason jar. The rasins plumped up quickly. I ate nine last night.
For the first time in many months, I woke up pain free this morning. I was able to walk downstairs. It is early days so I am not yet a believer, but I am remarkably impressed so far – though I do feel a bit tiddly.
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
We are always astonished when someone reports quick relief. Most people have to wait at least 6 weeks before they notice improvement. We hope your early success lasts.
john
I am eating 18 raisins per day, now for 1 month. I am seeing some benefits, but I also am taking 2 other supplements. I also take hyaluronic acid and glucosomine with MSM. My doctor removed me from etolac, because of potential kidney damage. I can’t believe how many people suffer with arthritis.
eileen
If juniper berries are good for inflammation then why not pick some and throw them in with the raisins? Also, what is the chemical reaction between golden raisins and juniper infused gin? I heard of a ninety-one year old woman who golfs 3 x 18 holes a week and at 75 was using two canes. She uses the gin/raisins every day and claims it is all due to the raisin/gin. I have made up a batch and may even throw some in the fruit salad.
Peoples Pharmacy response: We have no problem with gin – raisins in the fruit salad, but we discourage you from picking juniper berries. There are several species of Juniper, and not all the berries are safe. In fact, even the juniper berries used to flavor gin may be irritating to the kidneys in large enough quantities.
T Thompson
I made a double batch w/2 pints of Seagrams and 2 boxes of yellow raisins. I used 2 large pyrex baking dishes and let them soak until the gin was evaporated. I stirred them once a day and it took about 8 days.
I then placed them in 8 sandwich baggies and rolled each into a log and placed them in the freezer. I have not worried about refrigerating the baggie that is currently in use.
I am extremely happy with the results I have had. It took about 2 weeks before I started to notice the difference. My knees had been extremely painful but now I can climb stairs without a problem.
I don’t count raisins but use a small spoonful 2xday. I’m getting ready to make a second batch and will switch to Gordon’s London Dry Gin. Thanks for the suggestion!
Ely
I had Bombay at home so I’m using that. Sure hope it works! I’m not even 50 yrs old yet and have really bad arthritis in my knee.
Someone told me about this and I checked it out on Snopes and they can’t discredit it, like they do WD-40! LOL
Will let you know in a few weeks. ; – )
Ann M
After an Internet search for gins that only use juniper berries, I ordered Junipero from California. I soaked the raisins in a pan, and within about two days there was no liquor in the pan and the raisins were plumped. I now have friends looking for Boodles, Bluscoat or Junipero gin when they travel out of state since our little ABC doesn’t sell them. They are one of the few gins made only with juniper berries.
I’m not sure what their cost would be in different parts of the country. I began this regimen on May six, and here it is on June 26, and I haven’t noticed a difference.
Judi
I am glad I read this. I have been using gin soaked reasons for over 3 weeks, but doing it wrong.
alexis jones
It’s interesting that not all gins have ingredients listed. Evidently Gordon’s is among those which use juniper berries rather and chemical substitute.
DB
Would this remedy be just as effective using juniper berry tea, rather than gin?
C J F
I suspect that the gin is an integral part of the medication. If you let the gin evaporate, you may be reducing the effectiveness of the recipe. I don’t bother with the cheese cloth.
CJF
I have found that you want to wait at least a week before consuming the concoction.
You want to wait that long in order to give the raisins a chance to absorb most of the gin. I have also found that it is necessary to add more gin as time goes on. The gin is either evaporating or perhaps I am taking too much gin along with the raisins. HA!. On the other hand if you find that you have more gin left than raisins, then I see no reason not to add more raisins.
CJF
I like Gilby’s as well, but I have switched to Gordon’s for this particular purpose.
claudia
When I use rum soaked raisins in cooking I plump them in the microwave. Can this method be used to soak the raisins in gin?
Rosie
I take meloxicam for arthritis do I stop taking the meloxicam before I start using the raisins?
joanne
I’m about to try this natural remedy myself and the tips on gin have been very helpful. I would like to buy organic raisins since grapes are so heavily sprayed with pesticides,…why not? But, I was told that maybe the sulfur dioxide used in conventional raisins is a key factor in the remedy. Does anyone know about this?
Also, what is it about the combination or synergistic effect of these two ingredients that reduces inflammation? If it was the juniper berries alone, we could just take a drink of gin.
Thanks for any insight on these TWO questions.
Nony
i used the Christty london dry gin and + brown raisins to cure my 10 fingers ( before consummed this every morning woke up i couldn’t bend my fingers properly and painfull n swollen too my Gp|Dr tried or prescribed me with some of medicines but failed), actually it worked for me with this remedy……
RD
I have purchased a small bottle of Miller’s Gin after reading an interview by the producer of this brand. They use juniper berries. I have golden raisins, and will try the arthritis recipe with this gun. I have just one question: for purposes of this recipe, what is the difference between golden raisins and regular raisins? Anyone know?
millie h
How many raisins and how much gin?
Omar
A few weeks ago you stated that some gin is only flavored with Juniper and you need gin with the actual berry. The liquor store could not answer the question with which gin has juniper berries. I read one of the labels and checked on the internet. Tanqueray Gin is a London Dry Gin and seems to be made with Juniper Berries although it doesn’t say so. I am trying it as I believe this brand will meet the requirements for Juniper Berries. It can also be bought in a 1/2 pint where many brands only have a 5th.
G. Coney
I used Ivanbitch Gin. It doesn’t matter if the gin is cheap, I heard that the cheapest gin was the best. Seagram gin is cheaper than Ivanbitch gin. Ivanbitch listed juniper berries in its ingredients and it worked for me. As a matter of fact, all gin has juniper flavor but not necessarily listed in the ingredient.
G. Coney
April 10, 2013….I made the gin soaked raisins recipe. I have been using the recipe for about five weeks. Its has been a success for me! My right knee, leg and arm were in so much pain. My prescription medicine, and over the counter medications wouldn’t relieve these pain. One day a friend approached me about the gin soaked recipe. Since I was in pain, I decided to try this recipe. I went to the package store and bought me a half pint of Ivanbitch gin. I bought this Ivanbitch gin because the sales clerk alerted me that this was the brand that most people were buying for the recipe because “juniper berries” was one of the main ingredient listed. So I bought the half pint of Ivanbitch gin.
I bought two boxes of the golden raisins. I bought a single Mason jar from Joan Fabric store. While I was there I bought me a package of cheese cloth. I find out that you don’t have to use cheese cloth, you can go to the dollar store and buy a light dish cloth. I packaged the two boxes of raisins in the Mason jar.
Next, I poured the half pint of Ivanbitch gin over the raisins. I got a spoon and forced the raisins down tight so that the gin can cover the raisins. I put the top on the Mason jar tight and turn it up and down several times to blend the raisins and gin together. I took the top off the jar, and got a spoon and mashed the raisins down in the jar making sure that the gin is covering the raisins.
I cut a piece of cheese cloth or kind of thin cloth and put on top of the jar. Do not put the top on the jar, only the piece of cheese cloth. I let my set for two or three weeks until the gin evaporates out.
Each day I will lift the cheese cloth up and mash the raisins down making sure the gin is covering the raisins. Note: A small amount of the gin will still be present in the jar, it’s not going to dry out the raisins.. I just eat a small spoon full once a day. Be careful now, remember the raisins are drunk. This recipe really worked for me, I am pain free and not hopping around anymore. Please feel free to comment back.
MWG
I, too, read with interest the caveat about not using “cheap” gin and began an internet search for data on brands and how they produce the gin. It seems to me from what I’ve read that gins produced from actually soaking the botanicals in the base before distilling might result in a higher concentration of juniper “essence” than the methods that steam the botanicals.
Both of these methods results in a distilled gin so I’m not sure what to think. The compound gins that have the botanical extracts mixed with vodka would seem to maybe the the “cheap” gins referred to? Also, the information says that to be called a gin, juniper berries must be used.
Any enlightenment on this will be appreciated. Maybe people who are experts in gin chemistry could help with this. Seems we are looking for the gin that has the highest concentration of botanical essence, not just flavoring.
Cindy B.
I was using Gilbey’s gin also…. it’s fairly reasonably priced, not the cheapest, though. I just ran upstairs to check the label and cannot find one thing about whether they use juniper berries or not! (does anybody know?)
Also, CJF, you say “the raisins should be ready to enjoy in about a MONTH”??? Good grief, does this include harvesting and drying the grapes? I have a very shallow, flat-bottomed bowl, around 6×4″; I lay about 1/2″ of golden raisins in it, cover (just) with gin…. and voila, those little devils are all puffed up and begging to be consumed in about 3-4 days, tops. And this includes my adding a bit more gin around Day 2.
The puffing-up is at room temperature; then when the raisins are ready I transfer them to a glass jar and place in fridge.
SCH
The gin we have (TAAKA extra dry Distilled London Dry Gin) says it is “INFUSED” with juniper berries. Is this gin OK? Do the raisins have to be white raisins? And why nine gin raisins?
CJF
I have use this recipe using Gilby’s Gin which I prefer, but will switch to Gordon’s to see if I detect any difference. I find that it is necessary to add several more table spoons of gin periodically as the raisins soak up the gin. The raisins are ready to enjoy in about a month. For more severe cases of arthritis an extra tablespoonful of gin can be helpful.
figment
Some manufacturers of sloe gin use gin to make the berry infusion. Others use alcohol with the berries. At the very least, I suspect you are getting the benefit of the raisins. Based upon what we believe are the effective ingredients, quality gin should be used instead of Sloe gin for more certain effectiveness.
figment
Directions:
1 Before you get started, make sure to read the label of your gin to check that it is made from or includes juniper berries. This is critical!
2 Put the raisins in a glass container and pour enough gin into it to cover the raisins.
3 Cover the container with cheesecloth and allow to stand until the raisins absorb the gin and the most of the remaining liquid evaporates, about one week. Then refrigerate.
OR
Place them into refrigerator until they are plumped keeping them covered with gin.
4 Each day, eat NINE of these “drunken” raisins, with or without liquid depending upon which way you have prepared them
5 I have read that it might take six weeks for this remedy to work, so be patient.
Carole B
I bought gin and raisins today and put them in to soak in a glass jar. How many days before I should eat them? Can I add more raisins as I use them or do I need to start another container?
Sara C.
So how many raisins are necessary? How long do the raisins have to soak? Thank you.
Helen E.
I will try the Gorden London Dry Gin and see what happens.
JDS
I have yet to try the gin soaked raisins but have been meaning to. Can you publish the recipe again?
sk
Can a person w/type II diabetes use the gin soaked raisins for pain of arthritis?
I’ve heard differing answers. Thanks.
ATC
Why not just drink a little gin every morning. Is there some benefit to the raisins? What is the amount of gin that would be therapeutic. And for that matter, if you are eating the gin soaked raisins, how many of those in a therapeutic dose?
EMG
I thought the recipe called for the use of Sloe Gin. The golden raisin and Sloe gin is working for me.