Sloe Gin

September can be an anxious time, waiting for sloes to ripen. Will you get there first, or Someone Else who also has a gin bottle begging to be filled? Ideally you should pick them after the first frost, but the sloes I've used have never been frosted and I just don't believe the end result could taste any better.

However, you can freeze sloes before using. This not only simulates frost, but makes the fruit split, which means that you don’t have to prick them all over with a needle before dropping them in the gin.

The Diversity Website comes up trumps, as usual, with straightforward instructions.

But do visit the excellent blog The Cottage Smallholder for a deeper discussion on method and tips on production, including fermenting the sloes before use.

You’ll also find a recipe for Sloe Sherry, reusing the sozzled fruit after the gin’s been decanted. I can’t wait.

Comments

[Georgina Gray]

My first attempt this year at sloe gin. If I'd waited for the first frost it would have been yesterday (1st Dec) not leaving much time for steeping and maturing, so my youngest daughter and I set to with needles in September. I've only made a small amount in case its disgusting, and based on the assumption that if anything can go wrong it will go wrong I'm being cautious. Thanks for the links, Georgina

[Helen Gazeley]

And if youd left it till December, the birds would have eaten them all anyway.

Honestly, Georgina, alcohol, sugar and fruit - theres not much that can go wrong. Im confident on your behalf that itll taste great. Let me know how it goes!

[Georgina Gray]

Just to let you know that the sloe gin was yummy at the end of December and even better by the end of January when we finished it off. Will definitely make more next year but I need to find a nice bottle rather than a jam jar next time!

[Helen Gazeley]

So, the whisky from a jar image isnt quite what youre looking for? Glad it turned out well - thought it would! I wonder what it would taste like if one could bring oneself to leave it a whole year? Thank you for thinking to give anupdate.

[Phil Voice]

Well, I'm seeing you in a different light Helen...a post about alcohol and it's caused the most comments and it seems you are a bit of a pro at this home brew malarkey :)

Seriously, I love a drop of Sloe Gin too. Last Winter's crop here was an amazing sight and the hedgerows were laden with fruit (and then suddenly gone).

I meant to get a photo but missed the opportunity.