Thunderbird Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Just been reading what Wikipedia has to say about Sloe Gin. I've read in a few places that waiting for the first frost to pick the sloes is as much about getting the timing and ripeness right as it is about the freezing having any effect on the berries. Then there is the contrary view that the frost splits the skins, and obviates the need for pricking. Views appreciated on this, especially as this year fruit in general appears to be early ripening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_No Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I just bung mine in the freezer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 i pick october frost or not (usually not) last year if i had waited for the frost i would have missed out checked the bushes i normally get my supply from and this year there aint a berry in sight :o have you sourced yours yet and how are they ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slated Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Picked mine on Sunday, ripe now here in Somerset Larger this year than last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Pick mine mid october frost or not ,alot about this year and much bigger than last year only making 40 bottles this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 The blackthorn bushes on our shoot are heaving with the things. It will take a while for them to ripen though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingphil Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 How do you know when the Sloes are ready? Do they go soft when ready? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 have you sourced yours yet and how are they ? I have a couple of ideas and they look pretty ripe already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 if you think about it, alot of the recepies are copied/revised from old notes, before freezers were in every home, a reason they say to wait until the 1st frost, as that splits the skin, back then they never froze them, just picked and started making gin, nowdays we use the freezer to immate the 1st frost, freezing the berries makes them split, so in and out the freezer within 48hrs in my books I make vodka rather than gin, and remember, when removing those berries, dont throw them away, try on top of ice cream, or covered in melted chocolate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 If i waited for a frost there would be none left, sometimes don't get a frost until the New Year down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 January Celebrate New Year with your own sloe gin February Sloe gin and champagne for Valentines Day March/April Look out for the emergence of white blackthorn blossom in otherwise bare hegerows - and make note to return in the autumn for the sloes. May If you haven't done so already, remove sloes from last year's bottles. There is no benefit from leaving them in the gin for more than 6 months. Decant sloe gin and store in cool dark place until required. June/July Young sloes are very evident on blackthorn bushes if you look through all the leaves August Sloes acquire their typical 'bloom' and look good - but DO NOT pick yet! Allow more ripening time for best results September Make a bottle or two, but only if you must! October probably the best time to pick your sloes (but can depend on location).Traditionally you would only pick after the first frosts of the year. Sloes bottled now can be ready for this Christmas and New Year November Still a good month to make sloe gin, but a little bit late for this Christmas. December Christmas holidays are a good time start sampling the bottles you started in October. Christmas presents of your own sloe gin are also always much appreciated by friends! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Excellent stuff here guys, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 CJ Berry, the god of all home brewing IMHO, states the reason for allowing the first frost to get the berries, is to help break down the tannin held in the skin of the fruit, making the liquer less dry and providing a deeper colour to the liquid. Down on the Gower, I've attempted both methods and can't find difference between them, so pick away once purple in colour. Though freezing does help splitting the skins, saves a few hours pricking 6lb of fruit and getting purple hands You could also try pouring cider over the decanted fruit, leave for a few days, very nice!! 6lb berries 2lb caster sugar Gin to fill Drop of Almond essense Kilner jar, biggest you can find or 2 smaller ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/product_10146.html anyone wanting to plant some new bushes click on link there cheap as chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 That looks like a better idea than most of the useless shrubs I've recently inherited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) First lot of ripe Gower berries in the freezer tonight and will be in the jar the weekend. Courtesy of Brown Sauce - thank you mate EDIT: Made the sloe gin and forgot about bags of gooseberries and raspberries from my mum I had in the freezer so got a mix of those on too in a separate jar obviously, as an experiment. Edited September 10, 2011 by Thunderbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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