Sloe Gin

The fruit of the Blackthorn is known as a sloe and I picked some a month or so ago thinking they were tiny damsons and put them in some wild fruit jam. However after watching The Edwardian Farm last week and seen Ruth making sloe gin for Christmas I realised what they really were! Picked a large basket early one morning with a heavy frost still on the sloes and have moved into home brewing! A much easier process than making elderflower cordial, (though picking was quite treacherous because of the long thorns), the sloe gin is now gently infusing in the utility room. All it needs is a gentle shake every so often and it should be ready for the end of January. Unfortunately don't think I bottled it early enough for Christmas! But it might be appearing in a hamper near you soon!