Ok, I have the gin and the bottles, whencan I pick the sloes for sloe gin?

[jenthehen]

I'm in the midlands. Will they be ready now??

our sloes are just about ready, will be good for the next fortnight or so I'd guess. wiltshire.

Probably not yet - not round here - try in a couple of weeks? Also you can wait till the first frost which will pierce the skins then you don't have to bother doing it yourself... Or freeze for the same effect!

OOh great, I've never made it before, do you have a method you can recommend ?

you need to look at a rather marvellous site alla bout sloe gin making called "www.sloe.biz". I quote from their forum:

"The full ripeness of a sloe berry is dependent on the cumulative number of growing degree days (GDD) from the pollination of the Blackthorn flower. The exceptionally warm June and July months has resulted in a high GDD figure so far this year, so that in most parts of England the sloe crop is at least two weeks ahead of schedule.

With increasing average Summer temperatures over the last 20 years, the old saying that wou must wait until the first frost to ensure full ripeness is becoming irrelevent in my opinion. First frosts have in recent years become so late that in the SE of England you'll be extremely lucky to find any left. With the climate changing, don't rely on the first frost. After all, warm days and mild nights ripen sloes, frosts do not."

My GOD they are geeks! They swap recipes too

Big jar, sloes in with skins pierced and pour gin over!! Leave in dark room and don't drink till Christmas. There are probably much more scientific ones that others may suggest but that works for me!

I wondered why the frost was important.Now I know. Many thanks Sophiev73

LOVE sloe gin.

another top tip from that site: "If they are nice a soft, like a ripe plum...and there is no hint of green on the surface, then pick, prick and bottle"

ours are definitely completely ripe down here

'Pick, prick and bottle' sounds like a solicitors'!

I can't believe there is a sloe gin forum. I'll have to check it out for special recipes.

I've got sloe gin bottles from lakeland plastics, they have a narrow neck and stopper. Should I make it in big pickle style jars first and then decant it in at xmas time??

I've picked some sloes today and they are definately ready. What type of containers do you need initially, before the decanting stage. Do all the containers need sterilizing?
What is the best way to do this? I seem to recall something to do with ovens or a microwave???

Just sterilised some this afternoon with my Mum! Popped them in the oven for half an hour on about 100 degrees (lids off ) and bob's your uncle... Hope your gin turns out ok - Mum and I were discussing if it's really wrong to drink sloe gin out of season? (We have a few bottle from last year still left over!)

put them in the freezer first

then let them defrost - they will split naturally so you don t have to prick them with a pin

You can use plums and it's lovely

D they have to be special kilner type jars?

Nah - whatever you've got. Kilner jars look lovely and WI though and have an excellent seal...