Sloe gin is a traditional British liqueur that is made by steeping sloe berries in gin. The result is a sweet and tart liqueur that is perfect for sipping on a cold winter evening. Sloe gin is typically made in small batches, but this recipe will show you how to make a 70cl bottle of sloe gin.
Ingredients
To make sloe gin, you will need the following ingredients:
450g of sloe berries
70cl of gin
225g of sugar
Sloe Berries
Sloe berries are the fruit of the blackthorn tree, which is native to Europe and Asia. They are small, blue-black berries that are similar in size and shape to blueberries. Sloe berries are very tart and astringent when eaten raw, but they become sweeter when cooked or steeped in alcohol.
Gin
Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. It has a distinctive flavor and aroma that makes it a popular base for cocktails and liqueurs.
Sugar
Sugar is added to sloe gin to balance out the tartness of the sloe berries and to give the liqueur a sweet flavor.
Instructions
To make sloe gin, follow these steps:
Wash the sloe berries and prick them all over with a fork.
Place the berries in a large jar or bottle.
Add the gin and sugar to the jar or bottle.
Seal the jar or bottle and shake it well.
Store the jar or bottle in a cool, dark place for at least three months, shaking it every few days.
After three months, strain the sloe gin through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Bottle the sloe gin and store it in a cool, dark place until ready to drink.
Step 1: Wash the Sloe Berries and Prick Them
Before you can make sloe gin, you need to prepare the sloe berries. Start by washing the berries in cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, use a fork to prick each berry all over. This will help to release the flavors and colors of the berries into the gin.
Step 2: Place the Berries in a Jar or Bottle
Once you have pricked all of the berries, place them in a large jar or bottle. You can use any type of jar or bottle that has a tight-fitting lid.
Step 3: Add Gin and Sugar
Next, add the gin and sugar to the jar or bottle. You can use any type of gin that you like, but a good quality gin will produce a better sloe gin. The sugar will help to balance out the tartness of the sloe berries and give the liqueur a sweet flavor.
Step 4: Seal and Shake
Once you have added the gin and sugar, seal the jar or bottle and shake it well. This will help to distribute the sugar and sloe berries throughout the gin.
Step 5: Store in a Cool, Dark Place
After shaking the jar or bottle, store it in a cool, dark place for at least three months. This will give the sloe berries time to infuse the gin with their flavors and colors. You should shake the jar or bottle every few days to help the flavors develop evenly.
Step 6: Strain the Sloe Gin
After three months, strain the sloe gin through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. This will remove any solids and sediment from the liqueur, leaving you with a clear and smooth sloe gin.
Step 7: Bottle and Store
Finally, bottle the sloe gin and store it in a cool, dark place until ready to drink. Sloe gin will keep for several months, and it will continue to improve in flavor as it ages.
Nutrition
Sloe gin is a sweet liqueur that is typically served in small quantities as a dessert or after-dinner drink. It is not a low-calorie or low-sugar beverage, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The exact nutritional content of sloe gin will depend on the specific recipe and ingredients used, but it is generally high in sugar and alcohol.