Lancs Lad Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Well considering that last year was a blank with no fruit worth a mention on the bushes, this year looks to be a good start. I know its a bit too early, but Ive already been out and picked some fruits that were soft and had turned, leaving the green and hard ones..... Ok its not quite time, and we should wait till the first frosts, but I couldnt resist.....proably got another few weeks to go before the other fruits have got nearer to picking.... but..........Ive currently got 2 ltrs of Gin...............1 Ltr of Voddy and 1 ltr of Brady currently on the go................. Now I just need some new beating....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambu13 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 there are some really heavy bushes round here that are looking very very ripe, im having a go at the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryantidgwell Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 got 23 pound of them in the freezer cant afford the gin at the min lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diceman Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Yep gone mad here too this year. Last year I had so few I tried out pineapple and ginger (fantastic) blackberry (OK) and damson (horrible) Be glad to get a stock of the real thing in again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 and damson (horrible) damson gin mmmmm yummy yummy yummy try sloe and blackberry brandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Ooh, sloe gin. I haven't made that for years but was only looking at the hedges around the farm the other day thinking this year will be a good crop! What's a good recipe? I think I used to do 1lb sloes, 1lb sugar, a cinnamon stick and 1l of gin..... Sound about right? I'm going to give it a try this year I recon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordofthewings Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 I,m surprised not only by the number of sloe,s this year, but also by the size, they,re very near the size of damsons. Not quite ready yet, I think they improve with a touch of frost. LOTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan147 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) I was talking to the farmer where my fishing club have fishing rights and he told me my sloes are coming on nicely! He also mentioned the bottle i gave him from last christmas was going down rather well and probably needed topping up. Allways look after him especially as he gives me shooting permission as well. One of my other farmers in Shropshire has give me first option on his unwated damsons as well - what a result. Just goes to prove if you look after your farmers not only for fishing but you sometimes get offers of other things as well. Well worth the donation of a bottle or two at Christmas time. Edited August 28, 2009 by Jan147 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 They improve after the first proper frost but if you are impatient you can freeze them in the freezer! My GF does this every year - get in before everyone else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambu13 Posted August 29, 2009 Report Share Posted August 29, 2009 which ones are best, yeasty or shiny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted August 29, 2009 Report Share Posted August 29, 2009 Got gin and vodka on the go this week and loads more on the bushes. Picking brambles now for the whisky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delbert Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I picked our first couple of pounds of blackberries last week (Bb pie yummy) is it just me but they looked the biggest I have seen since I was a nipper and the sloes are about the size of goosegogs I'm betting the finches have them before we get a frost tho'. Is Blackberry vodka worth doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Is Blackberry vodka worth doing? Do bears **** in the woods? Bramble vodka is well worth making but bramble whisky is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentishsteve Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Do bears **** in the woods? Bramble vodka is well worth making but bramble whisky is better. :blink: The slows are huge compared to last year in my area and every bush is bursting with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 The slows are huge compared to last year in my area and every bush is bursting with them Well get them picked before someone else does :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Bramble Vodka sounds good -anyone got a recipe quick cos i picked mine today and her indoors will waste em in a pie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Bramble Vodka sounds good -anyone got a recipe quick cos i picked mine today and her indoors will waste em in a pie. Lb brambles Bottle of vodka 6 tbsps Sugar. Stir up every day for a week, then once a week for 3 months or so. Taste now and again and add sugar to taste if need be. A Cinnamon stick in with it wouldn't be a bad idea either. The longer you can keep your mitts off it the better but strain and decant after 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Sweepy Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 The boys are off to pick ares today.(they dont know that yet) The bushes are full off them. Big ones too. xxxxSuzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 We've got plenty round 'ere.... Does anybody still wait for the 1st frost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 normally yes but I think the logic is it bursts the fruit and you can do the same in the freezer. I've a stack in the garden this year so not even got to go far for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetandsteel Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 MMMMM all this talk of booze I found a pile of sloes last night while walking the dog. Gonna give it a bash at making sloe gin and blackberry vodka after. Cheers all for the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
here iam Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 What the heck do they look like can any body please tell me what size bush tree any round here thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Sweepy Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Well am not really into bushes I just take its fruit. So i could be wrong But its sort of like the hawthorn(i think) The berries are round and purple. If its like the bushes round here they should be easy to spot. xxxsuzy But then again i could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Well am not really into bushes B) I just take its fruit. So i could be wrong But its sort of like the hawthorn(i think) The berries are round and purple. If its like the bushes round here they should be easy to spot. xxxsuzy But then again i could be wrong. an easier description, like a small damson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delbert Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 (edited) Well am not really into bushes I just take its fruit. So i could be wrong But its sort of like the hawthorn(i think) The berries are round and purple. If its like the bushes round here they should be easy to spot. xxxsuzy But then again i could be wrong. B) if they are in large flattish bunches could be Elder which our tribe from round Ormskirk used to make stunning wine (me gran too) the sloes are bigger berries with smaller leaves Derek Edited September 1, 2009 by Delbert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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