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Sloe Gin


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Description

Discover the art of crafting exquisite Sloe Gin right in the heart of your British kitchen. My step-by-step guide provides you with everything you need to create this quintessentially British liqueur that captures the essence of the countryside.  If you watch the video you can see that I ran 23km on my trail run, just to get them.  I think a few people thought I had lost the plot, when they saw me running with them.  Never mind, needs must!

Sloe berries ripen and grace the British hedgerows in September.  Making it perfect for Christmas, as it takes 3 months to steep into the gin.  Sloe Gin, pronounced as Slow Gin, is a timeless favourite that combines the bold, fruity flavour of sloe berries with the smooth richness of gin. Our recipe embraces tradition, allowing you to create a drink that’s perfect for sipping, mixing into cocktails, or even gifting to friends and family.

With the deep red hue of ripe sloe berries and the warming notes of gin, this homemade Sloe Gin is a true taste of the British countryside. It’s a labour of love that rewards patience, as the flavours meld and develop over 3 months, resulting in a luxurious tipple that’s well worth the wait.

My recipe provides quick guidance with 3 ingredients, ensuring that your Sloe Gin achieves a perfect balance of sweetness and that wonderful almond back notes. Create a batch to savour yourself or share with loved ones, and relish in the satisfaction of producing your own delicious, artisanal spirit.

It’s good to embrace the British tradition of Sloe Gin-making and elevate your bartending skills. Make your own bottle of this enchanting elixir, perfect for bringing a taste of the countryside to any occasion. Experience the joy of crafting Sloe Gin with our easy-to-follow recipe.

 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 500g Sloe Berries
  • 250g Caster Sugar
  • 70 cl Plain Gin - (700ml and make sure it is good quality gin as it will taste better)

Instructions

When you have picked your sloe berries, wash them thoroughly, ensuring any bits of twig, branch, leaves and stems have been removed.  Then place the sloes in a freezer bag, and put them in the freezer for 24-48 hours.  This step imitates the first frost of nature and helps them split a bit.

After freezing, you then want to get a real nice big kilner jar with a good sturdy seal.  You can see the type I mean on the video.  Place the 500g of frozen sloes in, followed by the caster sugar and then the gin over the top.  Place the seal over and clip.  Then turn upside down gently, so that the sugar is combined.

Then place the jar on its side (that’s why the seal must be good) and every 2-3 days turn the jar 180 degrees on its side.  This then rumbles the sloes with the gin and sugar, so it infuses properly.

Keep doing this for 3 months for a good depth of flavour.  Then you want to strain the sloes from the gin.  I first use a sieve, and then I do a second strain with muslin cloth to ensure that the gin is free of any sediment.  It is best to remove the sloes after 3 months as otherwise the taste changes and it can be (in my opinion) bitter.  So 3 months is when I strain the sloes from the gin.  However, leaving the sloe gin (minus the sloes) after this point makes the flavour intensify, creating what I think is like a warming almost almond type taste.  However, if I am honest, it is hard getting any of my family and friends to leave it alone over Christmas!

Notes

This makes a wonderful Christmas gift

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: British

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