I need some sloe gin help!

[IfYouLoveSomebodyLetThemSleep]

I am a complete newbie to sloe gin making and could do with some advice! I read that the best way to prepare the sloes was to freeze them so they split, I froze them but they have not split! Does this matter? And do I just chuck them in frozen or am I meant to defrost them first?
Help!

I'd defrost them. And then stick a skewer into each one before you pop them in the bottle. Both things are supposed to help them release their juices, which makes the gin a lovely purply colour.

I had this issue last week! I'd let them defrost, as you may find that freezing has weakened the skin on the sloes and let the juices out. If not, you'll need to stab each one as you put it in the bottle.

They split as they defrost so just bung them in with the alcohol

I just put mine in a plastic bag and bash them a bit with a rolling pin

I think they'll split once they've defrosted - try putting them in the bottle and pour a little gin over to see if it works... don't do too many to start with and then its not going to be too much of a problem to taken them out and cut each one if necessary.

Its only about juice release, so nothing to worry about. I have never known the skins to split after freezing....so no idea why some sites seem to say they do.

Just do as Bram suggests - defrost, then prick all over with a pin, before adding to bottle.
It will be fine

Right I'll defrost and prick just to be on the safe side :)
Does it matter if they're not in a bottle? I have some jars like this that I was going to put them in, will that work?
Sorry, I'm such a worrier!

Jars will be fine. Just make sure you use a funnel to decant at the end so you don't end up pouring gin all over your kitchen!

These are great for pricking sloes. Just roll the sloe over the pins. Much less pfaff than pricking each one several times with a skewer.

I used one of those corn on the cob pricker things and it didn't seem to take too long, that is a good idea though so thanks.

Just another quick question, how long does it take for the gin to go that deep colour? I put them in on Thursday but it's still looking a pale colour. Do I need to add more sloes?

Leave it for at least three months... I tend to leave mine for a year.

I've found some sloes on the walk to school so I thought I'd give sloe gin a go. I've read the thread and got the general idea, sounds simple but please could you tell me the quantities I should use and what size jar to make it in? Many thanks!

I do 600g of sloes, 300g of sugar and 750ml of gin. You can scale that up or down. I just use an empty gin bottle - you will need twice the volume to the original volume of gin because the sloes and sugar take up space.

Oh, and you need to give it a regular shake - at least a couple of times a week once its in the bottle/jar.

I use a 1 litre bottle and fill it half full with sloes and 100g ish of sugar, then fill it to the top with gin (about 500ml) and a couple of drops of almond essence. I've never shaken the bottle afterwards, just forget about it for a year.

Thanks ladies, that's really helpful. Will take container with me tomorrow and have a go!

I've always done thirds - as in, third of a bottle sloes, third of sugar, then top up with gin (which is a lot, as it fills up the spaces as well). Not too sweet, not too tart.

Definitely shake every day.

Takes a couple of months to be good (as in, shop bought quality but nicer), a couple of years to be perfection, and I have some that my parents made over 20 years ago that is just wonderful.

Sorry - should have said - shake thoroughly upside down every day until sugar has definitely dissolved. After that, once a week or so is fine.