Homemade sloe gin

  • Portion size: Makes 1 litre
  • Hands-on time 20 min, plus resting
  • Difficulty: easy

Harvest sloe berries in autumn and make sloe gin that will be ready come Christmastime. It’s the perfect festive tipple to enjoy yourself or give as a gift.

Don’t forget to sterilise your jars beforehand. You can learn how to do so here or check the video in the tips below.

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Ingredients

  • 450g sloe berries, washed and pricked
  • 450g caster sugar
  • 70cl gin, a cheap bottle works fine

You’ll also need

  • A large Kilner jar, sterilised

 

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Method

  1. Add the sloes, sugar and gin to a Kilner jar and seal. Turn the jar every day for the first week or so to dissolve the sugar and colour the gin evenly.
  2. Keep for at least 3 months before serving – ideally, pick the sloes in September and have the gin at Christmas.
  3. When you’re ready to bottle it, line a sieve with a clean muslin cloth (or clean j-cloth) and set it over a large jug. Pour the contents of the jar through the muslin to strain it, then pour the liqueur into clean, sealable bottles.
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Quick wins & tips

Make Ahead

Steep the gin for at least 6-8 weeks before serving

Cook smarter

Sloe berries that have seen a frost or two are perfect for making sloe gin. The cold helps break down their tough skins and frees the juice within.

If there hasn’t been a frost when you pick your berries, you can replicate the frosty effect by popping the sloes in the freezer for a few hours before using.

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