Sloe Gin

[mark smyth]

Today, better late than never, I made my Sloe Gin. The fruit, Prunus spinosa, should have been gathered back in September. Now they are starting to wither. All you need is the fruit, sugar, a glass or plastic jar, Gin and patience. Disturb the contents once a day until the sugar has dissolved and set it aside for a minimum of 3 months

[Heather Smith]

I made Sloe Gin some 12 years ago. I did all the right things including leaving it for a whole year to mature.  I just wondered what it tasted like. While I was away in Switzerland, and the sloe gin was 11.5 months old, my sister drank the lot!!  So I still don't know what it tastes like. My sister loved it (obviously) and she doesn't usually like gin at all.
Somewhat frustrating.

[mark smyth]

I have some 2 and three year old bottles

[Anthony Darby]

The thing about sloe gin is it doesn't taste anthything like gin, and btw, that's a half hearted attempt at filling a sweetie jar Mark. It should be filled to the top with pricked sloes, then the sugar added until it is again  full and likewise with the gin.

[Carlo]

oof...sounds more like syrup...

[David Shaw]

40% syrup, no problem!
Actually, as Anthony says, it doesn't taste anything like gin but a very pleasant and very potent appetiser.

[annew]

Funnily enough, I've been discussing sloe gin with people this week, and the recipes varied from 2oz to 1lb of sugar per pint of gin. The upper limit sounds more like the recipe for sloe jelly.

[Anthony Darby]

The upper limit sounds more like the recipe for sloe jelly.

You'd be amazed how much sugar dissolves in a pint (568ml) of gin! Jelly (or syrup) it ain't; delicious it is.

[Paul T]

I'm starting to think that SOME in these forums are a pack of alco's.  Consumption of fermented beverages DOES seem to find it's way into our pages rather often, no? 

[mark smyth]

the recipe over here is half fill the container with sloes, add sugar until all gaps are filled, add a 'snow cap', fill the container with Gin. I need to buy another tomorrow to fill my jar

[Carlo]

It is all from plants, Paul...

[David Shaw]

How do you mean, Paul, alco's.
It's nearly 10 o'clock on Sunday morning and I haven't had a drop, yet!

[jomowi]

Mark

Beware some plastics, particularly the transparent ones,  it is possible that some of the constituents of gin might attack the plastic over time.  Glass, ceramic, polypropylene or polyethylene may be safer.

Brian Wilson Aberdeen

[mark smyth]

thanks Brian. This bottle is a very rare sweet bottle. They are all plastic now. I used to keep newts in them

[mark smyth]

Sloe time has come around once again!