BBC Gardeners' World

Comments

• Sue Batho

  02 November 2007, 08.25PM

  Interestingly we picked sloes here, south Hampshire, at the end of August, there are none to be had now. The Gin has been doing it's stuff since then and we hope for some sampling over Christmas!

• weeterrier

  03 November 2007, 11.20AM

  I'm almost tee-total, but do love to make and have the odd slurp of sloe gin. Though the person who provided me with the sloes has moved away, so I have had to make damson gin this year. I am now wondering if I should grow my own. Would it take years for a plant to yield sufficient berries to make a small brew? Didn't know about the freezing thing. Though I don't mind sitting on an afternoon pricking the fruit, I find it quite relaxing.

• Shaz

  03 November 2007, 10.03AM

  Hi, I have noticed that the sloes in the North West are pretty sparse this year, has anyone else? Can any one recommend any other good sites for sloes or sweet chestnut up here?

• Nikki - Somerset

  04 November 2007, 06.28PM

  Me and my sister started off our first attempt at Sloe Gin about 6 weeks ago. Do we strain it before re-bottling and when will it be drinkable and when really nice! Next year we will take your advice and wait till after a frost to collect the fruit. Thanks.

• Pippa Greenwood

  06 November 2007, 11.36AM

  Yes, it comes in to bearing speedily - I reckon we had our first very useable crop from the tiny 30cm tall or so rooted 'sticks', after about 4 0r 5 years.

  I must admit I never filter my sloe gin, but suspect that those that need things to look great might well do so!! If there is a bit of sediment - all the more likely if you do my zap in the freezer method cos things then get a bit squashy!!! - then it settles to the bottom and give a clear drink...you can always use the 'dregs' on vanilla ice cream!!

• ginjosie - belgium

  06 November 2007, 06.03PM

  I picked some sloes end of summer, then found on a website that I should wait until after the first frost, so I threw them on the compost heap. Very stupid I read now, I should have put them in the freezer. We planted three rows of mixed hedge, wild roses, sloes, hazelnut and some other things. Mainly for the birds. Does anybody have some recommendations on what I could add to my hedge?

• 06 November 2007, 07.16PM

  freeze the sloes after picking and your gin will be ready in half the time.

• Malcolm - Cumbria

  06 November 2007, 08.39PM

  We picked some sloes this year in early August in Colchester while staying with family. They are now maturing quite nicely. We got some damsons from the Lune valley (South Lakes) the year before last, made some gin and forgot about it until a month ago - just the thing after a frosty morning's digging (or even just plain damp!)

• Roy Vernon

  07 November 2007, 09.48AM

  But what is the recipe for sloe gin!

• gilbert scott

  07 November 2007, 06.54PM

  Hi i got a lakemont grape vine this week. i live in the north east of england it is cold in winter & i would like to grow my vine in my garden. What would i need to keep it warm in winter i have 2 green houses, gilbert

• Alison-Sunderland

  08 November 2007, 07.08PM

  Picked berries in County Durham in September, and popped them in freezer for 2 days before using. Went back to the bushes after the 1st frost, and they were shrivelled up-glad I picked them when I did!

  Recipe: 1lb berries, 8oz castor sugar, 1 litre gin. Prick berries, put in an empty bottle, add sugar - this should take you to about half way up the bottle. Top up bottle with gin, seal bottle. Shake once day for a week, to dissolve sugar. Store for at least 3 months in COOL DARK place.

  Stored my first bottle near to a radiator, and it exploded - berries everywhere, and a very sticky carpet! Now making a massive batch in a demi-john.

• Arlene Phillips

  17 November 2007, 03.41PM

  We have zillions of sloes down here in HAmpshire, and I want to know are they 'past it' when they shrivel a bit, they were quite plump till the frost.

• teazle

  23 November 2007, 07.31PM

  Having had a glut of sloes last year we decided it could not all go in gin and we raided the cupboard and made whisky, bacardi and schnapps. all worked equally well although the bacardi was fav with the men and schnapps for those more discerning of us. Give it a try!

• Trish

  04 January 2008, 12.00AM

  Having just decanted the last of this year's sloe gin into bottles can anyone tell me if it's okay to put the used sloes on the compost heap?

• Pippa Greenwood

  08 January 2008, 10.49AM

  You can certainly compost the used sloes, but if you like a rather sharp (and decidedly alcoholic) for an at-home icecream eating feats...they're great but you'll need to remove the stones first!! My cousin makes damson gin and recommends dipping the sloes in chocolate after gin-making...or perhaps it is just eating the chocolate at the same time ???!

• Angie

  08 January 2008, 04.35PM

  We always add the used sloes to a bottle of top quality cider. It turns the cider a lovely purple colour and gives it a subtle sloe gin flavour. It makes the cider very potent though!

• Pippa Greenwood

  11 January 2008, 12.44PM

  And I assume that the resulting pretty brew is also pretty lethal and inclined to make even the sturdiest gardener horizontal!!