Sloe berries

Dan Salter · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 10:53 PM

My local patch ( Darland banks reserve) in north kent is awash with sloe berries..
They are all looking very purple...but dusty? when are they ripe enough to make sloe gin?

Thanks.

Mark43 · #2 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:09 PM

September to October apparently but preferably after the first frost so probably October i guess.

Dan Salter · #3 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:23 PM

ok thanks mark...i have never tasted sloe gin but im going to make some anyway ha ha

WoodNymph · #4 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark43

September to October apparently but preferably after the first frost so probably October i guess.

I always cheat and put ours in the freezer until they burst so I don't have to wait for the first frost.

Dan Salter · #5 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:39 PM

good tip....does it affect the taste at all?

Alan · #6 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:43 PM

Yeah there's load round here as well. Some good cherry crops too, and the brambles are just ripening for that matter. Could be a good year for home made wine.

How long do you leave the sloe gin to 'mature'? Also do you use just gin, or a mixture?

Dan Salter · #7 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:45 PM

if your asking me alan then idont know as it will be my first sloe gin experience.

Cherries? they have mostly all finished round here. unless the birds got them all before me

Alan · #8 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

if your asking me alan then idont know as it will be my first sloe gin experience.

Cherries? they have mostly all finished round here. unless the birds got them all before me

It was to anyone cheers Dan

The cherries are probably a couple of weeks later to ripen up here.

I dont know if I can wait for sloe gin to mature though, I'll try making fast gin instead

WoodNymph · #9 (**permalink**) 31-07-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

good tip....does it affect the taste at all?

No, you just have to make sure that they are completely dry before using them though. Hawkers sloe gin is the nicest you can actually buy but I've been told they don't make it anymore

WoodNymph · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

It was to anyone cheers Dan

The cherries are probably a couple of weeks later to ripen up here.

I dont know if I can wait for sloe gin to mature though, I'll try making fast gin instead

I did leave it for 6 months once (couldn't wait any longer!) and it didn't taste any different.