Do we have any Sloe Gin fans here?

reiteration

yep, made damson gin about 3 years ago - as I was up the lakes and we passed a house that was selling damsons for a quid a bag... gota few good quids worth and the gin was lovely

this years sloe gin - I've used this recipe - thus, not adding the sugar yet, but will add a sugar syrup later on...
How to make the perfect sloe gin

SteveCritten

I make my own gin so I may look for some sloe berries this year thanks for the reminder

reiteration

nice one - yeah, think you'll need to be fairly quick - as up near me (county durham) - there was a good bacth, and they were quite ripetoo - as a lot had fallen to he ground...

hyperfish

Just been to the bushes I visited last year and found they were all dead.

The drainage in the area had changed resulting in flooding.

Found several bushes along another drainage ditch with a decent crop but they were inaccessible.

Found another close by but it took ages to get enough for about 2 litres of gin.

Although I'm two weeks earlier than last year IIRC it would appear I am too late. Locals, birds and the mild season beat me to them

hyperfish

Started my Sloe today. Got the gin from Asda, £15 for a litre.

I also decanted some that I have had steeping since April into hip bottles.
                                                                       

reiteration

well, just sorted out my sloe gin that I'd made with the berries I got...this time I tried a slightly different method as I added the berries to gin (aldi's premium stuff) and instead of adding sugar at the very start - I've just added some sugar syrup at the very end and the result is very nice...

infact having a large one now...

got about 3  bottles worth - and had just used slightly more than half of the berries I had

hyperfish

A bit of forward planning for Xmas this year. I've just put 1.5l of Gordons over a pack of sloes that I picked last year.

I still have about 0.5l of the previous batch left from which I have the occasional tot.
                                                                       

hyperfish

Progress report after 4 months, and a reminder to pick some more for the freezer.
                                                                       

reiteration

Mmm...yes, we may pop out this weekend if we get time... almost forgot..!

nheather

I now have a yearning for Sloe Gin this Christmas.  Clearly not as organised as you guys so will have to buy ready-made stuff.  Anyone care to recommend some good brands.

Surprised to see that there are loads to choose from in Waitrose, even in Tesco and they range from £14 to £30 .

Is there much to choose between them?

Cheers,

Nigel