Sloe Gin

[Two_Sheds]

Have any of youse guys tried sloe sherry? What's the best type of sherry to use?

'Medium' sherry apparently, but not the rough stuff. See here:
http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=104

[borage]

Thanks Flummery I like the idea of the small wine bottles for presents, will have to acquire some.

[bubblewrap]

Sloe Gin a song & CD by Joe Bonamassa!

http://www.jbonamassa.com/

[Snadger]

Made sloe gin last year and had a look at the blackthorn bush I get the sloes from today! They seem more mature than I remember from last year, very like small plums covered with down! I had a taste of a few and they were quite sweet, not like I remembered from last year? Going to pick mine at the weekend!

[Flummery]

I know people have been picking them for ages but I always try to hold off until October. They are just that bit more mature and flavourful - and fortuitously, are ready just in time for Christmas. It must be meant (she said mysteriously!)

[Flummery]

Thanks Flummery I like the idea of the small wine bottles for presents, will have to acquire some.

I volunteer to help you to empty them. I like red!

[Two_Sheds]

Problem with bottles

what've I done wrong? Put sloe gin back in the original gin bottles, but now the caps don't fit! They spin round instead of doing up tight... what did I do?

[Two_Sheds]

Ah. thinking about it, I cooked the caps in the oven when I sterilised the bottles. methinks I melted them a bit. Doh.

But, that means the gin won't keep, so I better drink it up and start again. Yay!!!

[Flummery]

Hate to bring you down petal, but it's the alcohol that makes it keep - doesn't need the lid to be tight. However, far be it from me to stop you having another bash. Big headache tomorrow then?

[Brewer-again]

sloe ly does it

snager! it will not matter about the sugar now as it is not used as part of a brewing process, could be added last to make the drink palatable. Sloes are bitter and gin is nice so the sugar will bring it back to nice.

Jerseybean! When you ferment the process changes the sugar,sucrose to fructose before it can be changed to alchohol and Co2. So you can use either or. It is just quicker if you invert the sugar first.

[bubblewrap]

what've I done wrong? Put sloe gin back in the original gin bottles, but now the caps don't fit! They spin round instead of doing up tight... what did I do?

Try putting the caps in the freezer for a time this should shrink them a little!
Or a little cling film round the bottle neck

[shirley]

We have just sampled last years Damson vodka....WOW tastes similar to cherry brandy. A lovely drink and will make it again.

[smallblueplanet]

Starting to get thirsty! When do you think we should be bottling all the various 'sloe' & 'bramble' drinks? Is there a better way to get the booze from one bottle/jar to another bottle?

[drdoug]

This years result !

Just bottled my first ever batch of sloe gin and am well chuffed. Plan to give some away as part of christmas for family so bought some small bottle vases from Ikea at 39p and put one of those rubber wine stops in it ! Looks really good and doesnt give away to much sloe gin.

[shirlthegirl43]

That looks really pretty.