Juniper Berries

A few new recipes I have call for juniper berries. That’s an ingredient I can forage locally. My first collection went to a friend so she can make tonic water. The second collection Christopher helped me gather. Apparently cold weather is not conducive- the branches come with the berries. So, now i have a beautiful bowl of mixed branch and berries to pick over. Did I mention the branches are very prickly and sharp?