I don’t want to get anyone too excited, but it’s getting to that time of year again… What says Autumn more than picking the Sloes ready to brew in to homemade Sloe Gin?

Making Sloe Gin really is incredibly easy. The hardest ingredient to come by is plenty of patience. Similar to my Rhubarb Gin, this recipe really is fool proof.

You've probably heard a few old wives tales about not picking the sloes until the first frost, or that you should use the thorns from the same bush to prick each sloe... don't pay too much attention to these, I never do and my sloe gin has always been fine.

So, go hunt down your Sloes (or buy them), find yourself a nice big Kilner jar and get making plenty of Sloe Gin to see you through to the New Year!

Ingredients:

1lb sloes

8oz caster sugar

1 litre gin

Method:

Pop your sloes in the freezer over night, this will gently break the skins, which means the juice will be able to mix with the gin more easily.

Add the sugar, gin and sloes in a clip lid jar, seal tightly and shake well.

Store in a cool, dark place and shake every other day for a roughly a week. Then shake once a week for at least two months. It doesn't really matter if you forget to shake for a week or so, it won't really affect the taste. You can taste it every now an then and add more sugar if you feel it needs it.

After about 3 months your Sloe Gin will be ready! You'll need to strain it through some muslin cloth and then pour in to sterilised bottles.

If you start now then you will have gorgeous Sloe Gin ready in time for Christmas!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Pip

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