What's In Season...Sloe and Damson Gin

The hedgerows are laden with sloes, the fruit of the blackthorn bush and damsons. Traditionally sloes are picked after the first autumn frost but with high competition from birds and an early crop this year now is the perfect time to get picking. Sloe picking to me marks the end of the summer and I can't think of a nicer pastime then searching the hedgerows for sloes, painstakingly preparing them, then turning the bottles everyday in what has become a run-up to Christmas ritual.Here is the basic recipe for sloe and damson gin, one my family have been using for over 30 years, resulting in many bottles and vintages each with distinct flavours and characteristics.

Using the bottle as a measure the recipe is made up of thirds, 1/3 gin to 1/3 sugar 1/3 fruit. If you are using Damsons, Kilner or Parfait jars work well, follow the recipe below substituting sloes for damsons.

Happy Picking!

Sloe Gin

1/3 bottle sloes
1 bottle gin (average quality)
1/3 bottle caster sugar

Pick approx. 1lb sloes, remember to pick some sloe bush thorns. Back at home prick the sloe berry's all over using the thorns (a pin will also work).

Empty the gin into a jug and place the pricked sloes into the bottle until it is 1/3 full of berry's.

Using a funnel pour in the caster sugar till 2/3 of the bottle is full.

Top up the remaining 1/3 with the Gin.

Turn every day until Christmas, then strain the sloes from the gin and pour the liquor back into the bottle. Reserve until next Christmas when it will have matured into a syrupy warming winter tipple!

September is my favorite month, always bringing better weather than summer.