See Also: sloe(medicine)
sloe(dictionary)
sloe gin(dictionary)
sloe(dictionary)
Sloe gin(recipes)
Loin of venison with a blackberry and sloe gin glaze served with clapshot rosti and parsnip crisps(recipes)

Sloe gin (recipes)










Preparation time

overnight



Cooking time

no cooking required

















Ingredients



sloes (as many as you can find - 1lb will make a good bottle ofgin)granulated sugar, to tastegin



Method



1. Gather your sloes from blackthorn hedgerows after the first frosts - inany case before the end of November. They are incredibly astringent, so do not be tempted to eat them.2. Wash the sloes and prick them all over with a pin. Alternatively pop them in a freezer overnight to split the skins. 3. Put all the sloes into a large jar that you will be able to seal tightly - an old sweet jar or large Kilner jar is best. 3. Cover your sloes with gin and add 1-2oz sugar per pint. I prefer it dry and use 1oz - don' t forget you can always add more to taste when you have finished. 4. Seal your jar and leave for two to three months, shaking the jar gently every few days to help dissolve the sugar.5. When you are ready to drink it, strain the sloes from the gin and pour into clean bottles, popping a few sloes into each for effect. The leftover sloes are a welcome addition to game stews.







Other ways:






Makes 1 litre/1¾ pint



Preparation time

overnight



Cooking time

no cooking required

















Ingredients



450g/1lb sloes225g/8oz caster sugar1 litre/1¾ pint gin



Method



1. Prick the tough skin of the sloes all over with a clean needle and put in a large sterilised jar.2. Pour in the sugar and the gin, seal tightly and shake well.3. Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake every other day for a week. Then shake once a week for two months.4. The sloe gin will now be a beautiful dark red and ready to drink, although it will still improve with keeping.5. Variation: make blackberry brandy in the same way, substituting blackberries for the sloes and brandy for the gin. Blackberries do not need pricking.