Thread: Sloe Gin

I took the advice proffered earlier in the thread and refilled the bottles with cheap port before putting the bottles back in the cupboard. Tried the results at the weekend and can confirm that it is an excellent libation, many thanks for the arrse top tip!

We tried the freezing route last year and the results were poorer, SWMBO has declared that there is no substitute for pricking.

When you have done with the port, strain the fruit, remove the stones and stalks and drop into a mold and fill with molten chocolate, pure rum and raisin country style.

Just had a quick investigation around the by-ways and woodlands of Somerset. There is going to be abumper crop this year.

I too tried the freezing method a few years ago and it definatly results in a more bitter brew.

My top tip is to make it in demijons - 4lbs of sloes, 4lbs of sugar and 4l of gin or vodka do the trick nicely, the extra room mean that when you agitate them you get a much better mixing effect. I also did some with 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 demarara sugar a few seasons ago - just cracked it open last winter and it was delicious.

Also with the left over sloes I like them with a really sweet vanilla ice cream - cracking and different diner party pudding.

A friend up the road has just invented gooseberry vodka to use up the crop that was in danger of rotting on the bushes and it came out a treat - same quantities as for Sloe Gin.

Blackberry Whisky. I laugh in the face of sloe gin, and pour scorn on brandy based liquers

Originally Posted by Mr_Baiter

Just had a quick investigation around the by-ways and woodlands of Somerset. There is going to be abumper crop this year.

I too tried the freezing method a few years ago and it definatly results in a more bitter brew.

My top tip is to make it in demijons - 4lbs of sloes, 4lbs of sugar and 4l of gin or vodka do the trick nicely, the extra room mean that when you agitate them you get a much better mixing effect. I also did some with 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 demarara sugar a few seasons ago - just cracked it open last winter and it was delicious.

Also with the left over sloes I like them with a really sweet vanilla ice cream - cracking and different diner party pudding.

A friend up the road has just invented gooseberry vodka to use up the crop that was in danger of rotting on the bushes and it came out a treat - same quantities as for Sloe Gin.

What part of Somerset, that's my stomping ground too.

I like the idea of Ice cream, and I think I'll try the 1/2 white and 1/2 demarara.

I'm going to have a go at both this year and see how much of a difference there is between picking before and after the frosts. The sloes are looking good this year though - just need abit more sunshine

Originally Posted by bangalore

Originally Posted by Mr_Baiter

Just had a quick investigation around the by-ways and woodlands of Somerset. There is going to be abumper crop this year.

I too tried the freezing method a few years ago and it definatly results in a more bitter brew.

My top tip is to make it in demijons - 4lbs of sloes, 4lbs of sugar and 4l of gin or vodka do the trick nicely, the extra room mean that when you agitate them you get a much better mixing effect. I also did some with 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 demarara sugar a few seasons ago - just cracked it open last winter and it was delicious.

Also with the left over sloes I like them with a really sweet vanilla ice cream - cracking and different diner party pudding.

A friend up the road has just invented gooseberry vodka to use up the crop that was in danger of rotting on the bushes and it came out a treat - same quantities as for Sloe Gin.

What part of Somerset, that's my stomping ground too.

I like the idea of Ice cream, and I think I'll try the 1/2 white and 1/2 demarara.

I'm going to have a go at both this year and see how much of a difference there is between picking before and after the frosts. The sloes are looking good this year though - just need abit more sunshine

Shepton Mallet area (although don't normally admit to it!!!) - you?

Originally Posted by bangalore

It's coming up to that time of year again, the Sloes down my neck of the woods are growing nicely and there are stacks of them - alot more than last year!

Does any of you sloe gin makers pick before the frost and freeze? if so does it have any effect on the flavour? I seem to miss out because the local sloe bandit gets in first before the frosts.

Anyway I'm going to try Sloe Liquer (Vodka), Sloe Cider and sloe truffles this year.

Looking at the price of Sloe Gin I might even go into retail

The Hermanns drink stuff called "Schlehenfeuhr", made the same way as Sloe Gin, but with rum.

I still have some very syrupy sloe gin that I started in 1988 in Rheindahlen! Pure nectar!

Last year, a Polish pal gave me a lesson on making "Nalewka", which is made with pretty much any fruit and vodka. He also makes it with green walnuts, rose hips, elderflowers, wild stawberries etc. I have cherry, Blackberry and rose hip brews that I made last summer.

If soft fruits don't go too hard after steeping, they also makes very good jam!

My first batch i picked after the frosts, and it makes a difference don't know how, but it does.
I tried the freezing method, on my second batch and noticed the difference, the taste was no where near as good.
Now have my eye on a few bushes near where i work so bring on Oct/Nov.

Originally Posted by clanker

My first batch i picked after the frosts, and it makes a difference don't know how, but it does.
I tried the freezing method, on my second batch and noticed the difference, the taste was no where near as good.
Now have my eye on a few bushes near where i work so bring on Oct/Nov.

I believe that the juice flows better and you dont need to prick the sloes to let the juice out as the frost breaks down the flesh.

Enjoyed reading this, I've tried the commercial Sloe Gin and enjoyed it so would love to make my own. Anyway, if it's any use to anybody, an excellent cheap Gin is "Glen", readily available in any Tesco's for about £8 for 70cl. I thought it was only the for determined outdoor-drinker (bus-shelters, shop-doorways, graveyards, that kind of thing) until I read a review of 10 different Gins in one of the Sunday supplements a couple of weeks ago. It was rated top, above such names as Smirnoff, Vladivar, Stolli and the rest!

Just the ticket for all you budding moon-shiners I reckon!

The commercial sloe gin is awful, I've never tasted any so bad apart from a certain arsser who thought sugar was a bad idea!

Try Sloe Vodka, exactly the same just replace g with v.

Very very good.

Originally Posted by Jaeger

Enjoyed reading this, I've tried the commercial Sloe Gin and enjoyed it so would love to make my own. Anyway, if it's any use to anybody, an excellent cheap Gin is "Glen", readily available in any Tesco's for about £8 for 70cl. I thought it was only the for determined outdoor-drinker (bus-shelters, shop-doorways, graveyards, that kind of thing) until I read a review of 10 different Gins in one of the Sunday supplements a couple of weeks ago. It was rated top, above such names as Smirnoff, Vladivar, Stolli and the rest!

Just the ticket for all you budding moon-shiners I reckon!

All very well respected gins, those ;)

Originally Posted by Jaeger

Enjoyed reading this, I've tried the commercial Sloe Gin and enjoyed it so would love to make my own. Anyway, if it's any use to anybody, an excellent cheap Gin is "Glen", readily available in any Tesco's for about £8 for 70cl. I thought it was only the for determined outdoor-drinker (bus-shelters, shop-doorways, graveyards, that kind of thing) until I read a review of 10 different Gins in one of the Sunday supplements a couple of weeks ago. It was rated top, above such names as Smirnoff, Vladivar, Stolli and the rest!

Just the ticket for all you budding moon-shiners I reckon!

My bold and wah deflectors on, but aren't they all brands of Vodka?

Not the cheapest maybe but a mellow gin, such as Plymouth Gin might work well? Thoughts from the pros before I make my first attempt this year?

Originally Posted by empty_vessel

Originally Posted by Jaeger

Enjoyed reading this, I've tried the commercial Sloe Gin and enjoyed it so would love to make my own. Anyway, if it's any use to anybody, an excellent cheap Gin is "Glen", readily available in any Tesco's for about £8 for 70cl. I thought it was only the for determined outdoor-drinker (bus-shelters, shop-doorways, graveyards, that kind of thing) until I read a review of 10 different Gins in one of the Sunday supplements a couple of weeks ago. It was rated top, above such names as Smirnoff, Vladivar, Stolli and the rest!

Just the ticket for all you budding moon-shiners I reckon!

My bold and wah deflectors on, but aren't they all brands of Vodka?

Not the cheapest maybe but a mellow gin, such as Plymouth Gin might work well? Thoughts from the pros before I make my first attempt this year?

You're quite right and are the winner in this weeks Deliberate Error Competition, £10 is on it's way to you as soon as I can be arrsed.

I blame it on the fact that I was testing the merchandise at the time!