Sloe Gin - Is it too early?

[Likes Roses]

ive had some sloe,s in the freezer for a month ! are these ok, as i saw someone else picking them a week before i did?

[greyhound]

As long as they were ripe and juicy when you picked them, they will be fine.  Normally I'd say wait till October before picking, but they've been well ahead this year.

Still tons round our way, I keep picking "just one more bottle's worth ..."

[triffid]

I keep picking "just one more bottle's worth ...

-- I'm with you there, Greyhound!

Just off down to the lottie to see if there might still be a pound (or two!) left... 

[Barnowl]

Perhaps the frosts concentrate the flavour: if so, would using a greater proportion of early picked sloes compensate?

We have much arduous experimentation ahead of us (it's a tough job etc)

PS At the moment we have some in a jar covered in sugar because we ran out of gin.    How long do you think they'll keep?

[Likes Roses]

Thanks, Ive never seen the berries so big! the hawthorn so full this year in the Craven area of Lancashire here!The elderberries have been So beautiful and jewel like, this was a month ago walking along the old railway here .Shall try the sloe gin, but dont think ill tryit with Gordons as its too good! lol!

[greyhound]

At the moment we have some in a jar covered in sugar because we ran out of gin.    How long do you think they'll keep?

I'd lob some gin on them pdq before they start to ferment.

[Barnowl]

....  but fermentation sounds good! 

[greyhound]

That's what you want if you're making sloe wine, but not if you're after sloe gin ....

[Barnowl]

Noted, thanks

[Emagggie]

..Shall try the sloe gin, but dont think ill tryit with Gordons as its too good! lol!

I used Aldi's best this time. It smelled ok in the making!

[Mrs Ava]

Rumour has it you can tell the difference between cheap gin and good gin.  I used Gordons and my grandad could tell the difference between a bottle I used asdas cheapest and the gordons.  I am not such an expert, it all tastes fab to me!

[Emagggie]

Ah yessssss, EJ I can too, (gin is my tipple) but when it's used for making other things, it doesn't seem to matter much so long as it's dry. 

[Hector]

Anyone else making Damson Gin. I fancy giving it a go for first time.

[goodlife]

Yes..picked all damsons that I'll need yesterday.  ...This year I only do little bit..just to use up our Christmas Gin up. I'm doing rumtopf pears and some pickled pears too that is made with cider..
I've just made my shopping today and my trolley was making some clinking noises..some would think seing me buying all the 'incredients' that I've some serious liquid issues..and I was shopping in Monday morning too..
Damson Gin is dead easy to do..hardest is the waiting game. I always let the damsons 'soak' 4-6 months before straining the liquid into bottles..and then the bottles will be 'maturing' another few months untill I have the first taste..but it is worth waiting for...
If I do damson gin now..I won't be drinking it until this time next year.

[gazza1960]

Il watch with interest if anybody comes back with a damson brew as ive spotted a huge bush of em out in berkshire
that have taken my attention, but as yet I aint picked any.

on the other hand,as this is an old sloe post I have just bottled 2 litres of sloes that have been frozen 6 months
and when I defrosted them the fruit was lovely and soft and ooooozed into the bottles before topping with the sugar and boooooze.

I like the fruit bruised and soft as after 6 months they are easy to pip and the soft booozy Gooooo goes really well with icecream.

Gazza1960

[goodlife]

Once damsons/sloes have had good long soak in gin..they go soft..and try sucking them after that..
Whoopsie..strong fruit!..but they are so delicious that you 'loose your tong'..just be careful not eating too many in one go..
...OH YES...ice cream and gin soaked damson.....

[Hector]

eek, sorry just realised this is a sloe topic.  I will start another thread?