Charlottechicken Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 There are tonnes of blackberries near me. If only people knew what free food there was in very urban areas Now I need one of those extra long walking sticks with a crook end to pull all the heavily laden branches to within my reach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 we must be very lucky then We've got a sloe tree in the garden! Is it safe to have anywhere near the laydees or is it only a risk if I leave a bottle of gin lying around! I'm not a gin drinker myself (can't stand it) but Joe is and he quite likes Sloe Gin Guess I'll be making some of this then and may even try some of the fruity Vokda's (now that IS my type of drink) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 I don't like Gin either Andrew so I make Sloe Vodka which is much, much nicer . The sloes in the garden will taste so bitter that the hens probably won't bother with them and if they do, it won't hurt them as wild birds eat them with no ill effects. The leftover sloes from your sloe gin or vodka can be stoned (very fiddly) and coated in chocolate to make a VERY delicious sweet . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 I have made two bottles of sloe gin, trouble is I put it in lava lamp shaped 70's pop bottles (courtesy of mum's loft) and now can't stop shaking them for the effect Will this do any damage? The sugar has nearly all dissolved into the gin now and I ended up using the same weight as fruit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Can anyone advise if I should keep adding sugar to the sloe gin until saturation point is reached? All the sugar has dissolved, and I added about the same weight of sugar as there was fruit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 For all of you out there making sloe gin you do realise that you need to ensure that it is made correctly and tastes good before you release it on unsuspecting friends and family Luckily help is at hand I am offering myself out as an official sloe gin tester - free of charge of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Righty Ho, Mel. I will give you a call in a few months time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I'll be waiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 If anyone still wants to make Sloe Gin, but has no Sloes by them (or the neighbours have had them all) ,some enterprising sorts are selling bags of Sloes on eBay,for about 99p a bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I'd given up on finding any sloes this year.... then I found a load today. When I collect daughter from school we always meet on the right hand side of her school gate, and she walks out of school to meet me (I stay in the car- not cool to have your Mum standing outside the car to meet you at 13 ). Today I needed something from town, and needing exercise I decreed that we'd walk from school to town, not very far at all. Immediately next to the school gate (left hand side) there were a mass of sloes, on the school property but overhanging the fence . I picked masses.... but she did insist that I waited until every child, teacher, cleaner or caretaker had left, just so that she wouldn't be seen with a mad sloe picking mother Sloe gin brewing this weekend then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Mmmmmm and double mmmmm ! I bottled up my crab apple brandy the other day and that is super! Might not last till Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I made my sloe gin on 4th September and it tastes divine already, does it really get better with age? I may go out looking for a few more sloes to add to the sloe vodka though as I had to make a really small quantity before. The blackthorn bushes don't seem to know if they are coming or going this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Just a quick reminder ... sloe bushes are in flower NOW ... laden with white blossom, around the hedgerows. Take note now, and you will be able to find the bounty of sloes in the autumn, ready for gin making Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 The blossom is certainly easier to see than the sloes! - good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Great idea ..... just so long as you can remember where you saw the blossom months before the harvest . I think my "left at the bluebell patch" might leave me a bit puzzled in october . Still I have managed to spot several more sloe bushes than I thought existed, so may have to double up quantities of gin this year ...... what a shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 ...but someone has to do it Sarah I haven't tried mine from last year yet - perhaps this afternoon........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minky Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Ooop! Seeing this reminded me I have some lurking under the stairs that needs decanting, HUZZAH! Oooh, and another tip that's not been mentioned is pick em after the first frost as it makes the sloes slightly less bitter, and if you just can't wait for the frost shove em in the freezer overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocobo Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 I remember last year my dad and i got up early to pick sloes in this really nice wood in bourne (called Bourne Woods) it was fun, as we took the dog and had a nice lesiurely walk along, picking sloes, i've never tried sloe gin though, i just enjoyed the walk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Saw a recipe today in a mag for a cocktail with sloe gin. Pour 250ml sloe gin into cocktail glass, over crushed ice. Top up with chilled bitter lemon. Not too sure what it tastes like - might have to go and find out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Saw a recipe today in a mag for a cocktail with sloe gin. Pour 250ml sloe gin into cocktail glass, over crushed ice. Top up with chilled bitter lemon. Not too sure what it tastes like - might have to go and find out . 250ml :shock: with that much sloe gin I wouldn't remember what it tasted like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 errrr , ooops .. I think that was 25ml NOT 250ml .. no wonder my head hurts today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 - hair of the dog Sarah? - do you have to buy special cocktail glasses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 Still a bit bright for me .... . I suppose any old glass will do ..... just the magazine mentioned cocktail glasses, I don't think I have any ...... just a large wine glass or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Found the golden sloe bush tonight, while walking the dog and children . Most of the sloes are small, and these were alot bigger, and more to the point READY . I am going picking and will do what I did last year - ripen in the sun, and then freeze the sloes, before sloshing in the 6 pint milk container, till December. . My 1st attempt last year was gorgeous using this method - so am repeating before the wild birds get too fat ..... . Seriously tho' - for any sloe hunters, check the bushes now - some are bare with just over-ripe rotting fruits. However, some are still a little green. The golden bushes are just right ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I'm making my sloe gin today. The bushes are heaving with berries and they are all ready. This rotten rainy summer has plumped them up nicely. I picked them a couple a days ago and they've been in the freezer for 2 nights (saves all that pricking) so they should be good to go. I'll let you know how nice it is in a few months ... hic.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
