Sloe Gin

[Ifailed]

I know there's a lot of talk about waiting for 1st frosts etc, but I've found all you need is ripe berries (yield to a gentle squeeze) & they are ripe where I am in Kent and certain bushes are loaded with fruit.

So I've picked about 4 lbs (enough for 4 litres of gin) they are washed and ready to go into the freezer.

My question is whether to add the sugar now (8 oz to each lb of fruit) or wait until later on - has anyone tried waiting?

I use the sip smith recipe which adds a sugar syrup later. It's much better.
Also if you pop the sloes in the freezer for a bit, it mimics the first frost.

Thanks, I think I'll give it a go. I use the freezer as well, I've better things to do than repeatedly stab my thumb with a needle!