Don't be slow picking the sloes

Sloes are early this year, are in abundance and ready to be picked.  I know you should wait until the first frost but there won’t be any left by then so I have picked mine and popped them in the freezer.  Once I have bought my gin I will get them out and defrost them.  Sloes can be found in hedge rows not only in the country side but councils quite often plant them in urban areas along main roads.  There are loads along the main road close to where I live.
For the Gin I buy the cheapest I can find, usually from Aldi or Asda.  Sloe Gin makes great Christmas presents and taste so much better than the bought stuff which is incredibly expensive and well below par when compared to the homemade variety.  The only thing you will need is a little patience whilst you wait a couple of months for the sloes to immerse into the gin.

You will need:

• 450g/1lb sloes
• 225g/8oz caster sugar
• 1 litre/1 ¾ pint of gin

To prepare the Sloe Gin: 

• Take the Sloes out of the freezer and place them in a large glass/plastic container with a lid
• Before they are fully defrosted pour over the sugar and gin and shake well
• Store in a cool dark place and shake every other day for a week, then once a week for the next two months
• Drain the gin off and pour into sterilised bottles.

The Gin will then be a lovely dark red and ready to drink, although it does improve with age.