You can search the internet for recipes, there are many, it is however nothing more than sloe berries, sugar and gin. What does vary are the quantities. First thing you need are the sloes... Problem, we have seen many sloe bushes when out walking but could we remember where? Tim and Pauline to the rescue... "We have many" they said, you are most welcome to them... So on Sunday 10th August we took a trip over and picked 4½lbs of which we have used just over half, the remainder being frozen for another batch. I have to say they were the biggest sloes I have ever seen.
Now for the work part... Each sloe has to be pricked several times. I use an old fork with the prongs squeezed together, works a treat. Do be prepared for black fingers though, the juice is terrible staining.
Once completed put the sloes in a 1 or 1½ litre kilner jar and add the sugar. I use ½lb of sugar per 1 lb of sloes and that gives us a taste we like.
Then add the gin and shake. We used just over a litre..
Next place the containers in a dark cool place and shake every other day for the first two weeks. And the once a week for two months...
After 10 days ours is looking good and we look forward to it being ready to drink...
