Sloe gin/vodka advice needed

[Nero]

I picked a few pounds of sloes in Lincolnshire in late October and have made a litre's worth of sloe vodka and a litre's worth of sloe gin. The vodka has been maturing for about three months, the gin only about a month. How long should I leave them? Is three-four months enough for the vodka? Also, I am thinking of using the leftover sloes in a fruit cake or perhaps mixed in with some apples in a crumble or even on their own with some custard or meringues.

Anyone with sloe experience?

[Sue]

I made sloe gin last year with some sloes my daughter gave me, sadly I drank the whole bottle in about a week :))

It was delicious :))

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Normally ready for Xmas, so they should be fine. Happy to taste the sloe gin if you wish.

[Belle]

what do you drink sloe gin with? My mum made some for me for Xmas.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

On it's own. Maybe with some nibbles.

[Mark]

Best to wait a year (if you can) for the sloe gin, it tastes smoother after that time. A 3 month old will still be a bit "ginny".

[katie1997]

Nero Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I picked a few pounds of sloes in Lincolnshire in

> late October and have made a litre's worth of sloe

> vodka and a litre's worth of sloe gin. The vodka

> has been maturing for about three months, the gin

> only about a month. How long should I leave them?

> Is three-four months enough for the vodka? Also, I

> am thinking of using the leftover sloes in a fruit

> cake or perhaps mixed in with some apples in a

> crumble or even on their own with some custard or

> meringues.

> Anyone with sloe experience?

ooh nero lucky you....i used to get sloes from east anglia and they were truly wonderful. made sloe gin and sloe vodka. def keep it for as long as you possibly can and give the bottle or jar a good shake every now and then. you probably don't need to 'mature' the vodka for as long as the gin. i would say minimum of 3 months, better after 6-1yr if you can forget about it. mmmmm enjoy on its own. must confess never used sloes in cooking or baking..drinking only! ;-)

have got funny plum type things (been told they are bullace) vodka on the go but as i moved house its still in the packing boxes so relatively safe lol

[SteveT]

Belle wrote:- what do you drink sloe gin with?

Gusto.

[Nero]

Over ice is good, I hear. I will report back once I've opened up the sloe vodka in a few weeks' time.

Also, is there anywhere you can pick sloes near to SE22?

[charliecharlie]

try pouring a bit over really good quality vanilla ice cream, add something like a macaroon biscuit, ginger snap, ameretti biscuit etc...

deeeeeelicious...

did you know tha Gordons do it now... not the same as home made but...http://www.consumelikeme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/gin_gor2.jpg

[RosieH]

Nero Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Over ice is good, I hear. I will report back once

> I've opened up the sloe vodka in a few weeks'

> time.

> Also, is there anywhere you can pick sloes near to

> SE22?

Yes, I have a litre and a half of gin, and not being a big gin drinker, am contemplating the sloes - any ideas where they are to be found?

[Sue]

On a sloe bush thing

Sloe bush

[SingingWilks]

Sloe gin and apple juice is just lovely.

[Sue]

Nah, best on its own. The sloe gin, that is.

[Applespider]

I seem to recall being told that there were sloes on One Tree Hill - but I've never remembered to actually go and look at the appropriate time...

[Sue]

Just take care you don't confuse them with Deadly Nightshade berries :))