Sloe Gin!

I use a 2litre lemonade bottle and prick the sloes and place in bottle till 1/3 full. I then add 1/3 sugar and 1/3 gin. Give a good shake and place in cupboard. Each day give bottle a good shake. Ready when all sugar has dissolved.

I have also done raspberry vodka, summer fruits gin and orange brandy.

The frozen fruits in places like Iceland are great as they are so mushy and dissolve quicker.

Note:- Dont lick spoon in process!
I did on one occasion and was merry by noon!

:drunken:

Naughty Mrs N. Unfortunately I have my sloe gin in several demijohns, making shaking them a workout in itself!

We did sloe gin again this year - in fact, the sloes are still in the bottle, must get round to straining it...

The last batch we made was about 5 years ago. We tried it the first Christmas and it was rough, practically took the skin of the roof of my mouth! So it got left at the back of a cupboard, and we thought about doing something about it, then just forgot about it.

This year, we found it again and thought it might be improved with the addition of some sugar. Got the sugar syrup ready, cracked open the bottle, tasted it - and it was superb. Smooth, tasty, and with a kick like a mule! Plenty sweet enough, no amendment required. So it may be that if you think it's good when it's fresh, it may still improve with keeping...!

We've finished ours for this season; I make just enough for Christmas and the New Year, as I like to keep it very seasonal for this one. Can't imagine drinking it at any time other than midwinter.

I don't know about anyone else but I found that last season's fruits produced a really excellent drink. Definitely vintage, it's emerged full bodied and fruity. Absolutely delicious! I'll have to hide it or it'll dissapear a bit too quickly I think.

All gone here.............. Now started on the bullace.

Having made sloe vodka most years for a good while a friend put me onto making sloe brandy this year. On a walk round Eaton Camp today, with friends, we collected sloes and they are now doing their stuff in some napoleon brandy ... will let you know next year how it turns out

We sampled some of last year's sloe vodka tonight over dinner ... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

what was the cider like Elen?

It dissapeared pretty fast !!! Thast should tell you Everyone really liked it. I managed to scrounge some for cooking too although there were some black looks from the drinkers