Sloe gin
Last year’s sloe gin has been steeping for ten months now – it’s time to decant. I found these pretty bottles at Lakeland (where they’re marketed especially for sloe gin), and filled four of them from last year’s Rumtopf.
I’ll be able to start collecting sloes, hopefully, some time next month. A quick recap – pick sloes after the first frost, prick them all over with a needle and for every pound of sloes you collect, pour over 8 oz of caster sugar and 1 ¾ pints of gin, then seal. You can leave the gin for as little as two months to steep, agitating the container occasionally, but the longer you leave it, the smoother the results will be.
Sloes
I’ve had a few emails asking what a sloe bush looks like and where to find one, so I went down to the woods today (no big surprises) and took some pictures. The sloe is the fruit of the blackthorn bush, and you’ll often find them making up part of a hedgerow, or growing near the edge of a field. If you don’t live in the countryside, don’t despair – blackthorn can be found in scrubby land in towns, and is often planted in parks. Most of England’s public footpaths will have at least one sloe bush on its route, and a very pleasant afternoon can be spent foraging the hedgerows for a carrier-bag full.
Sloes, clustered on branch (this was a particularly heavily fruiting bush)
The blackthorn bush grows to between 3 and 13 feet tall. If you have sharp eyes, you can identify the bush in the spring by its froth of white flowers and remember where it is for later in the year. Although the fruits here look purple and delicious, they’re not ready yet (September 1) – you really need to pick them after a frost, which gives them time to ripen, softens their astringency and makes them easier to prick. If, as happened last year, the frosts just aren’t happening, pick in November and put them in the freezer.
These ones are damsons, a wild plum. They'll make a great gin too (and they're edible raw, unlike sloes), but aren't the same fruit.
The sloes are nearly spherical and grow close to the branch. A raw sloe is a particularly disgusting beast – it’s sharp and astringent. It will make your tongue shrivel and your teeth squeak. These purple fruits are not sloes (compare with the picture above) – they’re wild plums, which ripen earlier, have longer stems, are soft to the touch and are sweetly delicious. If in doubt, have a nibble. Both fruits will have stones. If it’s delicious, it’s a plum. If it’s like sucking a fruity deodorant stick, it’s a sloe. The gin takes on all the fruit’s best characteristics, and none of the astringency.
Sloe gin is deliciously versatile. Try pepping up unremarkable Cava with a splash, drink it neat, use it in a martini or add some to mulled wine. I’ll be making another batch next month…until then, cheers!
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Hi
Has anyone found any Sloes in Greater Manchester the Middleton area pleas?
Karen, I’m afraid I don’t know Middleton that well but would maybe try around the golf course near the M62,that’s the sort of area you’d normally find blackthorns. you could also look around the pond area near the cemetery.
Does it matter if you use a really cheap gin? There are some owni brands that are very cheap at the moment.
Does it matter if it’s a cheap gin there are some own brands that are very reasonable. Also are the sloes ready yet or do we need to wait still?
I use supermarket own label gin and it makes very good sloe gin.I went out picking yesterday and they weren’t ready yet-Yorkshire! They were soft but didn’t come off the bush easily so going to leave them a while longer.
Plenty of sloes to be found on the old railway line between Hedon and birstwick.Also blackberries,wild strawberry, raspberry and apples. Don’t take a lunch with you pick it as you go.
Jemma, can you recommend a reservoir you know of closer to the M62 Hudds for sloe bushes. Pugneys is a bit of a trail but maybe worth it as I’m dying to make some this year and have just left a load at my mates in Notts
Thanks
what postcode area are you looking for and how much are you wanting?
I found a lot of blackthorn bushes with sloes aplenty along a disused railway line. Picked 2.5 kilo of them in no time they was that many. I guess the people of Idle dont know what there missing :0)
Does anyone know of a good spot for picking in South London (I live around SW16/Croydon.) Have been meaning to attempt making my own sloe gin for a couple of years, but never found any berries! Thanks.
a question for jemma, do you know if there are any sloes around stroud in gloucestershire. i only want enough for a couple of bottles. oh the pc is gl5 if you need it
sorry I can’t help you Ellen.I live in West yorkshire.You need to look in the hedgerows.
Hi, does anyone know where I can find sloes in East Sussex, particularly around Heathfield / Cross in Hand / East Hoathly?!
Hi Jemma, I live in HD7. I’ve had a look round locally but without success so far. Not looking for loads, enough to make a couple of bottles (about 1kg?). Are they all round Pugneys?
I use half of the above quantity of sloes, and half the quantity of sugar; but I add a couple of slices of apple to to the mix. The result is a far lighter, less syrupy brew. Similarly, is is a most delightful violet colour. When you get it right, you should be able to see through the liquid. A truly ‘cool’ way to drink sloe gin!
i am in barnsley does anybody know anywere good to find them plese.
Nicki there are some bushes on the lower path at scammonden dam on the car park side.Not sure if there’s any berries left as went last week and they were splitting.
Pugneys has hudreds of bushes lining the path along the opposite side to the ar park.There is normally a very large harvest.Takes 5 mins walk to the start of the bushes from the car park.
Hi,
Does anybody know where I can pick these in/around Preston and Blackburn.
Thanks.
Does anyone know where to pick sloes in Aberdeenshire? Particularly around the Milltimber area if possible. Thanks guys!
Visitors to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet / Ellesmere Port should try the canal tow-path from Little Mill Industrial Estate* towards the Waterways Museum, I didn’t have time to try the other direction, sun was setting.
* drive under the M53 and take the first left, Mill Lane, as the road bears right over the canal there’s a short length of road to an unused building; mind the glass on the road and ignore the litter. Walk behind the earth mound and cross the canal, down the steps and turn right, just keep walking.
Ignore the traffic noise from the M53, I didn’t see any boats on the canal and only 2 dog walkers last Saturday afternoon; take a friend or your dog for company.
I live Round the Keighley area in West Yorks and would appreciate any info regarding where I could find sloe berries. I have only tasted sloe gin once but I vividly remember the sweet taste. Please help!!
Hiya
We found are sloes at new lands corner in Surrey. It’s near Dorking via shear,
Very nice place too if you like walking and the views are outstanding
can any one tell me where around aberdeen i can find sloes
I live in the Reading area of Berkshire and wondered if anyone knows where any Sloe bushes might be in the general area