Sloe gin

[Everything Mac]

Just tucking in to my first glass of home made sloe gin.
Rather yum if I do say so myself.

Just Gordon's gin as the base. Not quite as syrupy as I expected but still good.
Anyone else cracked open theirs yet?

Andy

 

[British Red]

I don't do much gin (it doesn't like me) but have done many types of fruit spirit tinctures over the years - blackberry brandy and bulace vodka are amongst my favourites. White sugar should never go in them either!

 

[BILLy]

It’s great to taste the pleasures of the last harvest, I do a few bottles myself, some I use as gifts for farmers in return for shooting permissions granted, I also love making hedgerow wines and am quaffing some Elderflower as I write.
Enjoy, and make more next time
Cheers
Bill

 

[Bartooon]

I've made a few bottles of sloe gin in my life - don't like gin myself but my good lady loves it. I don't know if it is strictly traditional but I have always added some lightly bruised almonds to the mix and apparently it adds a little je ne sais pas.

I do like the sound of British Red's blackberry brandy though. I think I will have to give that a bash this year.

On a slightly more seasonal note, I have heard tell of drink made from fresh beech leaves which gives a vivid green concoction - anybody know anything about that?

 

[rik_uk3]

I don't do much gin (it doesn't like me) but have done many types of fruit spirit tinctures over the years - blackberry brandy and bulace vodka are amongst my favourites. White sugar should never go in them either!

Nothing wrong with using white sugar, granulated or caster is fine.

 

[Tadpole]

On a slightly more seasonal note, I have heard tell of drink made from fresh beech leaves which gives a vivid green concoction - anybody know anything about that?

Google beech leaf noyau, and now is roughly the right time to pick the tender leaves, of the beech tree

 

[British Red]

Nothing wrong with using white sugar, granulated or caster is fine.

Except for the fact it tastes like chemical cr**

 

[21st century pict]

Anyone else cracked open theirs yet? Andy

Personally I think it's vintage if it lasts the first week, one bottle normally makes it round to Christmas.
It was a very poor year round here last year and I only managed to get enough berries for about one or two bottles.
I have always used the very cheapest gin, white sugar and the only other thing I normally add apart from the sloes are some fresh Juniper berries straight off the bush.

But I admire your restraint all the same Andy, good health and enjoy.