It possibly depends on how ripe the berries are and whether they have had a first frost.The riper the berries/frosted/pricked they are the more likely they are to create sediment or go mushy.
Bottled up to make way for a new batch that I will be starting this evening.
Through the sieve catches the berries and the odd stalk etc.. I tried squishing a few between my thumb and finger, they were still quite firm and yielded very little juice to be of any interest. Next I tasted one, I won't be pursuing that any further. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/20151025_102709-jpg.638734/
Here are the bits that get through the sieve.
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/20151025_102725-jpg.638735/
A single pass through the muslin cloth catches the rest.
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/20151025_103444-jpg.638736/
Then pour into bottles of choice.
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/20151025_103643-jpg.638737/
The one on the left is a gift with a few berries in the bottle. The rest may struggle it to make xmas eve hence a new batch. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Now this looks interesting.
Whilst I love Sloe Gin, in years I have struggled to fine and Sloes (i think others might have beaten me to them) so in the last few years, I have been making Blueberry Gin instead. Same approach (add blueberry and sugar to gin and leave for a few weeks).
I had never thought of whisky though but thinking about it, I feel it should be rather good. There might just be enough time to get some ready for Xmas to go with our Boxing Day BBQ
I would like to try the Whisky first as on it's own I'm not a fan at all.
A quick search for 1 litre of Gordons finds Asda selling it at £15 (Tesco £18.50 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7). I've just bought two.
Edit: Couldn't wait so I got the job done.
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/20151025_121926-jpg.638770/
Well I hate Whisky!
I hate all spirits pretty much, other than ones you can water down to the point you lose the horrid mouldy/burn flavour, as I put it data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
However from memory the fruit and sugar totally masked that.
No idea on amounts, but as I wish to mask perhaps more than some I've used slightly more ingredients in these ratios:
1000g (1 litre) Whisky - (Lidl MARGOT £10.99 for 70cl bottle)
500g fruit (Picked, Washed and been in freezer for 2 nights)
200g Normal Sugar
Any views on these ratios?
Saw one of these Kilner jars in Wilko today for £20 so grabbed one. Holds 8 litres and has a raised tap so you don't draw in any sediment.
A friend has one and just keeps adding fruit, sugar and spirit all year round.
Decanted my 4 litres of Sloe Gin into it earlier.
Roll on Christmas data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
https://www.avforums.com/attachments/jar-jpg.651797/
They're a really good size, especially with the seal and tap.Will have to see if I can stop in Bristol at the weekend to get one.Bath is too posh for a Wilkos.
My sloes are coming on well - keep giving them a stir each week and licking the spoon data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Not sloe gin, but I bottled my gooseberry gin that I have had brewing since June. Turned out really good and a bit too addictive. Works out a lot cheaper than when my wife purchased a small bottle of gooseberry gin for £15 last year for my Christmas present. Next year I will make sure I don't miss the sloe berries, I may also try making some red current gin.
I really love the idea of sloe gin, but....
I'm impatient. I don't want to wait months our even a year for it...
Buying a bottle ready made
isn't expensive, is it that much better?
How is it enjoyed? Neat over ice? With tonic?
I bought some gordons sloe gin the other year and as I recall it was just a sloe flavoured gin - were as when i make it, it's a liqueur that's got added sugar - and much nicer..!
so, if possible I suggest you look for a liqueur based one as you can drink it neat...