Laura & CTB Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Only two more days at work before I take time off until January - and today my boss has bought in a bottle of his home made sloe gin -strict no alcohol policy on site but what the heck - I'm hiding it under my desk!! It's VERY nice - question is where do you get sloes from if you dont live next to a sloe bush? Never seen them in Sainsbury's Anyway - definately feeling much more Christmassy now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 You have to go hedgerowing in the late autumn Laura. I picked loads this year and have lots of alcoholic beverages (for Phil) on the brew and bottled up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 I only just about know what a blackberry bush looks like knowing me I'll probably pick something deadly poisonous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 is sloe gin nice then? if it is, I'm getting a bush for the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 Get one anyway Poet - if you dont like the end result I'll take the bottles off your hands for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 think that's an endoresement then, must google for sloe bushes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 When you've found some, let me know! The only time I went sloe picking (years ago) we picked about 5 lbs, washed and pricked them all and out them in the freezer. I was told to taste one, and took some in to school to show my Biology teacher who threw his hands up in horror at the Laurel berry I had shown him. Apparantly these berries are poisonous. I think my mum was trying to get rid of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 (edited) When you've found some, let me know! The only time I went sloe picking (years ago) we picked about 5 lbs, washed and pricked them all and out them in the freezer. I was told to taste one, and took some in to school to show my Biology teacher who threw his hands up in horror at the Laurel berry I had shown him. Apparantly these berries are poisonous. I think my mum was trying to get rid of me yes, they contain cianide (sp?) we had to chop our laurel down to make way for the girls' run. I take it you didn't eat one then? Edited December 18, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 My point exactly - I wouldnt know a sloe bush if it bit me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 If you look for a sloe bush, you'll be struggling! Try looking for a blackthorn bush. They have beautiful white flowers which come out before the leaves in early spring ... and evil big thorns! I reckon you'd need more than one bush in your garden to produce a lot of sloe gin, worth a try though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I have just decanted 5 pints of sloe gin . I also picked enough to give to 3 friends - who are ready to decant theirs now too - I provided the sloes and the sugar, and they bought the cheap gin. We had a bumper crop near us this year ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 These are sloes Laura They have a distinctive bloom on the berries and much smaller leaves. Laurel has glossy, large leaves and shiny berries: Traditionally, sloes are picked after the first frost as this softens them, an alternative is to prick them with a pin or freeze them before using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I decanted my Sloe Gin last night. Horrible,sticky,splashy job, but the reward - a nice little glass full - was lovely This years batch is am amazing colour - I will try to post a piccy if I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Yes, same here, Sarah. I've been making it for years and it varies in colour but this year, it's a deep rich burgundy. Should be divine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Ours is too - there are so many berries around this year - the hedgerows near me were drooping with the weight of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I picked 2 lots - the first were quite early and made a red gin (I had to freeze them then prick them). The 2nd lot were after the frosts - that one is almost black! Can't wait to try it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I think they look like small damsons and the bushes have vicious thorns. I can't find any around here though and I have looked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 My sloe gin is really dark too, the berries round here were plentiful and huge this year I had to pick the smaller ones as I didn't think I would get the large berries into the bottles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I start mine off in kilner jars (really cheap from Ikea) and then decant into bottles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I'm a real penny pincher Clare, and some of my bottles came from a couple of retirement do's at work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Brilliant idea Claire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 You guys always amaze me with what you make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I didnt do sloe gin but i have 3 large kilner jars full of vodka! Lemon, rhubarb and winter berries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I've got blackberry vodka in my cupboard, nearly forgot about it, it was the result of a complete glut of them down our road. Trouble is, I don't really drink vodka, never mind, got a few parties over the festive period, I'm sure it'll go down OK if I take some! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 Oh I am SOOOOO going to have to make something alcoholic next year thanks for the piccies Claret, now I know what to look for I'm gonna be on the search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...