Sloe Gin

[FurtiveFreddy]

How's this for perfect timing?

Got 3Kg of sloes to steep this weekend, so popped down to the local Waitrose and found they had a special offer on...

[Puggit]

Well, we had the first frost here in West Berks/Hants border - went back to the same place and the sloes were significantly bigger and easier to remove from the bushes. Picked up another kilo, so had to pop to JS as I wasn't going to use the Bombay Sapphire I picked up in Barcelona airport!

If anyone wants to know the spot, I'm happy to share - I can't pick them all myself!

[Shaw Tarse]

FurtiveFreddy said:

How's this for perfect timing?

Got 3Kg of sloes to steep this weekend, so popped down to the local Waitrose and found they had a special offer on...

bd

[Johnnytheboy]

No sloes round here (Dorset/Somerset border) but recently found another bag from last year's bumper harvest in the garage freezer, so off downstairs now to make it up.

[manic47]

Right, I've given up my fruitless search for sloes this year, and purchased 2Kg of dried sloes.
Should I bung them in dry, or fatten then up first?


I'm planning on the usual gin, plus maybe trying my hand at a sloe brandy this year.

[majordad]

Picked sloes here in Cork two weeks ago. Went back today and all gone. I know, it's way too late for them. So I have a question. I decanted last years sloes from their gin and am now left with lots of used sloes. I want to try sloe Vodka and am tempted to bung the lot into a 700ml batch. I know there might be a slight gin taste already, not much though as Ive tasted some. Would it work. Wife threatning to throw them out in next few hours if I dont want them . Advice please !

[Bill]

I've seen sherry and cider recommended for the left over sloes, to make slerry and slider respectively.

[FurtiveFreddy]

And Blandy, Sloe Port (sloes in red wine). The freezer here is full of used sloes and plenty of things to do with them.

[Johnnytheboy]

Bill said:

I've seen sherry and cider recommended for the left over sloes, to make slerry and slider respectively.

What do you do with them?

Add them to sherry/cider, then what?

[Puggit]

Cover them in melted chocolate. I'm sure the wife would love that!

[majordad]

Nah, did that last year, too much work and little taste of gin.

[Puggit]

[majordad]

Looks like Murphys/Beamish/Guinness in smiley number 3 ?

Anyway, I put the left over sloes in Vodka cos my friend likes it, and used some in chocolate for truffles.

[toastybase]

I've bought 3 bottle of Beefeater today in order to make some sloe gin from Christmas. I've put the gin in a plastic container with the cheeries and mixed spice. Put the lot in the airing cupboard.

Should be ready in time for the big day!

[randlemarcus]

toastybase said:

I've bought 3 bottle of Beefeater today in order to make some sloe gin from Christmas. I've put the gin in a plastic container with the cheeries and mixed spice. Put the lot in the airing cupboard.

Should be ready in time for the big day!

Big day 2013, yes. Will not be anything but sugary gin with cherries in by Tuesday, surely?

[Bill]

^^

Johnnytheboy said:

Bill said:

I've seen sherry and cider recommended for the left over sloes, to make slerry and slider respectively.

What do you do with them?

Add them to sherry/cider, then what?

Sorry, only just seen this. Allow them to steep again then strain, I'm not sure of timings though as I completely forgot to do it to ours.

[toastybase]

randlemarcus said:

Big day 2013, yes. Will not be anything but sugary gin with cherries in by Tuesday, surely?

Yep 2013. i struggled to find berries this year so used some cherries.

[Puggit]

Now is, of course, the time to go out and search for new bushes, if you are that way inclined. Lots of white blossom about.

Does anyone know how the late spring will effect the crop this year?

[MKnight702]

Just decanted the last of the blackberry vodka. The remaining blackberries are very nice with cheap ice cream!

[Slink]

I know this is off topic as this is a sloe gin topic but didnt really want to make another thread for it.

I want to make some cherry vodka for xmas, and I dont really know what amount of cherrys to use for a litre of vodka? and to add sugar or not?