How To Make Sloe Gin

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Homemade Sloe Gin is a delightful tipple for a winter's evening. With a deep red hue and sweet taste, this liquer will tempt you to make it year after year. If you can bear to give it away, it makes a great Christmas present.

Rarely do I come across a recipe that is both incredibly simple and utterly delicious. Part of the appeal is that you don't need to be exact when making Sloe Gin, so I've given a rough guidance only. Now that we're into September it's time to get plundering before seasoned Sloe Gin makers have snaffled all the ones in easy reach.

Step 1 - Get foraging and pick your sloes

Sloes are the berries of the Blackthorn bush and are prevalent in Britain but also found through Europe and into Western Asia. The thorny bush can be found in many hedgerows with the sloes a dark black / purple colour. Picked straight from the bush, the berries are bitter and definitely not a tasty snack. When steeped in gin, their magic is released. If you're unlikely to get out to the countryside or feel a bit lazy, then keep an eye out for sloes at a farmer's market.

Step 2 - Prepare your sloes
Prick the skin of each sloe a few times or lay them on a tray in the freezer so that the skin bursts. The pricking or freezing will allow all the juices to be released into the gin.

Step 3 - Assemble
Fill a bottle (I usually use an old gin bottle) 1/3rd to 1/2 full of sloes, add a cup of caster sugar and top up with gin. Don't use your fancy expensive gin, there's really no need. Cheap gin will be transformed by the sloes and time. Then, give it all a good shake and put it in a dark cupboard.

Step 4 - Turn the bottle
Every so often over the next few days or just when you remember, turn the bottle over or give a shake. The sugar will eventually disolve and then you can forget about it until Christmas.

Step 5 - Decant and enjoy
Sieve the gorgeous red liquer and decant. If you're giving as a present you can get lovely looking bottles to provide that added wow factor.



Sloe Gin is perfect sampled neat or with a piece of ice to chill it down. If you want to get snazzy then there are lots of different cocktails you can try. Why not suggest your own in the comments box?

If this has taken your fancy, try making Damson Vodka or Blackberry Brandy.

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