How to Make Sloe Gin

Making sloe gin is slow but not laborious. There's no cooking required, just patience as the sloes steep in the gin.

Ingredients

• 450g/1lb sloes


• 225g/8oz caster sugar


• 1 litre/1¾ pint gin

Preparation method

1. Prick the tough skin of the sloes all over with a clean needle and put in a large sterilised jar.


2. Pour in the sugar and the gin, seal tightly and shake well.


3. Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake every other day for a week. Then shake once a week for two months.


4. The sloe gin will now be a beautiful dark red and ready to drink, although it will still improve with keeping.


5. Variation: make blackberry brandy in the same way, substituting blackberries for the sloes and brandy for the gin. Blackberries do not need pricking.

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