Sloe gin - the definitive guide!

[ShoeJunkie]

Ok, so I've picked some sloes and they're in the freezer. What do I do next?!
I've googled and googled but there are so many variations on a theme. Does anyone have a tried and tested recipe they use?
Quite excited at the thought of a little tipple over Christmas!

[Mojavewonderer]

Mmm sloe gin....

[ShoeJunkie]

Mmm indeed but only if I get it made in time

[Rosencrantz]

Ooh watching with interest! I've only ever bought Gordon's, but am very keen to try making it!

[SeriousWispaHabit]

1L gin needs 500g sloes and 250g sugar.
Put it all in a sterilised jar/bottle and shake around a bit. Pour sugar into gin, not gin onto sugar and it will dissolve better.

Shake around any days that you remember, ideally every other day for the first 2-3 weeks, then weekly. Strain after 8-12 weeks. Keep some for next year if you can as it will taste even better.

[ShoeJunkie]

Thanks Wispa!

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

We put all the sloes on a tray and roll a cheese grater over to make little holes in the skin first.

Then equal amount of sugar to fruit in a bottle, pour cheap gin over and leave, giving a shake every day or so

[Cooroo]

I stab the sloes with a bamboo skewer (first pointy thing to hand) to let the juices flow. Most of them were a bit squishy though (firm enough when picked but went squishy in the freezer).

I have some blackberry vodka steeping away too, and just bought some nice glass bottles from Amazon so if I can bear to I'll use some for presents.

[PoppadomPreach]

My top tip is slow vodka, not sloe gin.