Sloes - found loads today.

Not had a frost yet, but will put on trays in freezer for a couple of days first.

Thank you for reminding me. I will go out on Friday, my first opportunity.

Away at present but planning on going to the woods across the road from our house on Friday to start picking.

Yep. They are looking good round here. Likewise I stick them in the freezer. If you wait too long they have been snaffled!!

My daughter picked some at the weekend, sloe gin or vodka methinks.

Some years are better than others- same as for any plums. Very few last year.

I always make my sloe gin one year and save it till the next. It has time to fully mature then and is richer. If you’ve never done this make 2 bottles this year. Drink one this Christmas and save the other for the following Christmas, then when you make next autumn save it for a year.

Sloe & Apple Jam is divine:-) www.fabfood4all.co.uk/sloe-apple-jam/

2 bottles???

Crikey, that wouldn’t last long in our house!

I restrict myself to a little shot glass at the weekend when the weather gets colder, but surprising how quickly a bottle gets emptied.

I make Sloe Gin every year, bottle it up and give it away as Christmas presents, it’s about half strength similar alcohol to sherry. I do taste it but I drink very little alcohol, it never did suit me.

I love sloe gin - used to make a lot. I haven’t seen many sloes this year - may have to go and have another look now you’ve put the idea into my head!

I've made my sloe gin. Safely kilner jared in a dark cupboard out of reach of husband! I made damson gin last year but our tree was bare this year. Followed Good Food recipe where they can be put in the jar frozen and no pricking of skins required.

I leave the sloes in the gin for at least 6 months, sometimes for much longer. I might be completely mistaken but I think it gives a better flavour.

I wonder what the jam would be like if made with the gin soaked sloes? I might try that next year. 😆

Oh dear, am I the only one who thinks adding sloes to gin is a ruination and a waste of good gin?

Agree with you exDancer. I don’t use good gin (save the Bombay Sapphire for me!) - I use the cheapest I can find. It still makes good sloe gin.

I wish I knew where there was a sloe tree round here. I have a friend who has several nearby and we pick them when I visit her. I bring them home and make sloe gin but have not been able to do so for a few years as I have not been able to time my visits when they are in season.

I make Sloe and Apple Jam, so good:-) www.fabfood4all.co.uk/sloe-apple-jam/

toscalily Ask your friend to freeze some for you when you visit.