Sloe gin

[SoftFroggie]

Can anyone tell me..
are the sloes ready to pick now (if not, how do I know when?)
and
how do I then make sloe gin? I know it involved cheap gin and sloes, but anything else? what do I do with them?

I've only made it once before - ISTR filling an empty gin bottle with sloes, then filling it up with gin. It's ready by spring.

I saw some lovely plump sloes today but although I've made sloe gin before none of us were really keen. I was wondering what else you can do with them. Would they make nice jam for instance?

I always put some flaked almonds in. If you can bear to leave it for two or three years. Gorgeous..

pixel, you can make jelly with them, like bramble jelly. I've got a recipe somewhere if you want me to dig it out later. I'll be around again at lunchtime.