Tips for picking sloe berries:
Pick the berries once they are ripe and after the first frost, if you can
If picking earlier than the first frost, put the berries in a container and freeze - make sure they are fully thawed before using
Pick berries that are high off the ground, away from passing foxes or dogs
Be careful of the thorns!
You’ll need:
Large Sealable Jars
Golden Caster Sugar
Sloe Berries
Cheap Gin!
500g Sloe Berries
250g Golden Caster Sugar
1L Gin -
1kg Sloe Berries
500g Golden Caster Sugar
2L Gin
-
2kg Sloe Berries
1kg Golden Caster Sugar
4L Gin
-
2.5kg berries
1.5kg Golden Caster Sugar
5L Gin
Method:
1. After picking your berries (or defrosting them), prick them with a needle, cocktail stick or other sharp object
2. Combine the gin, golden caster sugar and sloe berries in a large sealable jar / bottle - don't forget to sterilise the jar(s) first - instructions on how to do this are here
3. Store the jar(s) in a cool dark place and shake once a day for seven days, then once / twice a week for three months
Three months later:
4. Remove the berries and strain the gin through a muslin cloth / sieve
5. The gin is now ready to drink, however it will mature and improve over time - we recommend storing for up to a year before enjoying, perhaps drinking last years gin as you make the next!