Discussion
Slink said:
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?
You'll probably get some help in here, but try this forum too: http://www.sloe.biz/pip/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?
Puggit said:
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?
Lots of blossom on our damson trees, hopefully the weather will hold off long enough for the bees to do their bit... Presumably the late start will mean we're relying on a good summer to ripen the fruit.Does anyone know how the late spring will effect the crop this year?
Our usual supply bushes are laden with sloes (Shropshire here), but some are still green bullets whilst some are approaching Damson colour. So fingers crossed.
Plums have been good. The trees near the lake where we take the dog for occasional walks have really produced this year: loads of little yellow ones and red ones. We're shortly racking the first gallon of pure yellow plum wine, and tonight got a gallon of red / yellow plum going.
No sign of our toms or chillies ripening though
Plums have been good. The trees near the lake where we take the dog for occasional walks have really produced this year: loads of little yellow ones and red ones. We're shortly racking the first gallon of pure yellow plum wine, and tonight got a gallon of red / yellow plum going.
No sign of our toms or chillies ripening though
We've had a pretty respectable crop of damsons on our tree. They are nicely darkened and just starting to soften. The plum tree has, if anything, over cropped. Some of the higher branches are suffering slightly and one has broken off. Had the first crop from our small greengage. 2kg isn't bad at all. Tomatoes are very poor though, I don't think there has been enough bright sunlight for them.
Puggit said:
Leaving the sloes on the trees for that first frost, all this warmth and rain will be doing them good...
We got the opportunity yesterday to pick sloes on private land. As I can't guarantee that we'll get that opportunity again the freezer is doing the job of the first frost...
oldbanger said:
I'm trying a sugar free recipe this year using vanilla pods.
I got caught by the local farmer straying off the beaten track to pick sloes though, and got a telling off like some naughty scrumping child.
I'd be interested in seeing that recipe, but I would have thought some sugar would be necessary to tame the bitterness, no?I got caught by the local farmer straying off the beaten track to pick sloes though, and got a telling off like some naughty scrumping child.
Haven't yet been to our favorite gathering location yet, but I'm hopeful we'll have a good harvest this year. I'm going to try and brave it out until the first frost this time as we've used the freezer method until now.
We've also discovered a very nice cocktail for previous vintages which I'd recommend trying:
2 parts sloe gin
2 parts red vermouth
1/2 to 1 part lemon juice (to taste)
dash of bitters
Stirred over lots of ice and strained into a cocktail glass
Cherry and umbrella optional.
Can't find the original recipe I saw a couple of years ago, but this is what I've done
http://nipitinthebud.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/maki...
http://nipitinthebud.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/maki...
I just tried some of my 2007 sloe gin before I gave a sample to a new neighbour who was interested in making it for the first time.
It was pleasant enough - a bit tannic still ( could be that the sloes were macerated way too long...they decomposed in the bottle
)
I think I leave neighbour to make their own mistakes
It was pleasant enough - a bit tannic still ( could be that the sloes were macerated way too long...they decomposed in the bottle
) I think I leave neighbour to make their own mistakes
Went picking last night on a spot I had scoped out 2 weeks ago, bushes laiden and heavy with the things like every sloe gin makers dream...only 90% had swelled up and split open (Cornwall so definitely no frost!) I think because of the dry summer then sudden rainfall in the last week. I didn't pick them but are they good to use or not (as long as they don't look like they have been open for ages)?
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