HENthusiastic Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Howdy. I have got 5 lovely glass bottles which I was planning to make sloe gin with to go in hampers for Christmas presents. However, I've actually decided that I'm too nervous that I would incorrectly identify sloe berrys and poisen my friends over the festive period . So, I wondered whether any of you clever, wonderful people had any ideas for other alcoholic drink recepies. I did cranberry vodka last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Chick Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Cant actually help you on that one, sorry. But the cranberry vodka sounds devine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Blackberry or Raspberry vodka? Put approx 500g of blackberries or raspberries in a kilner jar or large container, cover with approx 100g of sugar and then pour a bottle of vodka over. Shake every day for a couple of weeks and leave for as long as poss before straining and drinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I have tons of sloe berrys in the hedge they look like big blueberries at the moment or a mini purple plum but they taste awful(as I bit one the other day as it had gone soft and looked ripe horrid ). If you were nearer you could have them! I think you are supposed to pick them after the first frosts? http://www.gastronomydomine.com/2006/09/sloe-gin-finding-your-own-sloes.html They are about 10-15mm diameter..quite distinctive in a hedgerow good luck indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Raspberry Vodka..... Now that sounds really interesting, I think we'll give that a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Raspberry sounds good I'm sure there was a thread on here about skittles vodka! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 You could always buy some Sloes on eBay - that way you would know what they look like for certain for next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 if you have spare gin (hmmm, who ever has spare gin ) what about lemon gin? there is a recipe on here somewhere *goes off to hunt for lemon gin recipe * here it is lemon gin (down the page a bit) there are a few drinky recipes here have fun cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I don't think there's much that you could confuse sloes with.........anything poisonous that's around at the moment won't be growing on bushes with long thorns..... Do you know someone who would help you identify them? - it would be a shame to miss sloes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I think that I am right in saying that the other name for the sloe bush is the blackthorn and as Lesley says they have long thorns on the branches. they do taste awful and are best kept for making gin taste yummy. We have made a few bottles of raspberry vodka this year some sweetened some not. they are a lovely colour and already taste nice after only a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks for all your advice and suggestions guys. I never thought about buying sloes on ebay. I've had a look and there are some dried sloes. I think I'm going to go with them, because I want to get them asap to get them in the gin, but as they are supposed to be picked after the frosts, I guess I cant pick them myself just yet. Does anybody know if dried sloes will work okay? (If not, ummmmm raspberry vodka ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I made raspberry vodka with Scottish raspberries last year and took some to Oz and James's booksigning for the Drink to Britain book, they loved it so my Vodka is by appointment to master wine taster Oz Clarke! This year I've used cinnamon dusted dried cranberries for Xmas. The sloes I picked I just put in the freezer to simulate frost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 In the freezer...... brilliant idea love it. Especially as I have just noticed that the prices of the dried sloes are loads higher than fresh. OH has just ordered some from ebay. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Apricot brandy, raspberry vodka, blackberry vodka (tastes like Ribena but blows your head off!) and I had a nice recipe somewhere for Christmas vodka, it had orange peel and cinammon and cloves in, was like drinking warm, scrummy Christmas cake! All made by putting in the fruit, covering in sugar topping up with alcohol, shaking or stirring every few weeks then leaving for minimum 3 months BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I love your new motto Beckyboo. I like to face life with that attitude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Thanks for all your advice and suggestions guys. I never thought about buying sloes on ebay. I've had a look and there are some dried sloes. I think I'm going to go with them, because I want to get them asap to get them in the gin, but as they are supposed to be picked after the frosts, I guess I cant pick them myself just yet. Does anybody know if dried sloes will work okay? (If not, ummmmm raspberry vodka ) If you pm your address I will send you some to see what they look like I cut a load of branches off today...but have lots Am happy to post some sloe samples to you(hopefully the strike wont affect them but I am sure they are a robust berry) indie ps Just had a look on ebay too..I could be making a fortune!!! I throw them away, cut them down every year they look very plump too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share Posted October 20, 2009 Thanks Indie, thats a really kind offer, but OH has actually ordered some on ebay. Silly I know as I'm sure we could be picking them ourselves. We just thought we would buy them this time, just to be sure of what they are and then in the future we can pick them ourselves. Thanks again for your offer. Maybe you should think about putting an ad on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 hi No problems I am sure once you see them you need to go and find some hedgerows ie bridleway/footpath and am sure you will come across them, the farmers around here tend not to cut the hedges as much as they use to. Keep looking they are free in some places... good luck and cheers indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
