How to make Sloe Gin

Wash and dry the fruit, remove all stems, and freeze the sloes for at least a couple of days. Place the fruit in a suitable container, add gin or vodka, and shake twice a week for 4-8 weeks. Transfer most of the liquid to a bottle. Add the sugar to the remaining sloes. Shake twice a day until all sugar has dissolved; this may take up to two weeks. Mix this sweet syrup with the first unsweetened liquid. After three months strain the liqueur through a muslin cloth. Add some more sugar if necessary. The liqueur should mellow for a couple of months before used.  No way - we get stuck into ours well before Christmas.

As an alternative you can mix the sloes, gin or vodka and sugar at the same time, but then use slightly less sugar. If preparing the sloe gin/liqueur this way you will also get a delicious flavor, however, the total volume of liqueur will be less because more liquid will remain within the fruit.

Liqueur Chocolates - don't bin the fruit. Cut and stone the sloes and dip into premium melted chocolate.  The liqueur chocolates make a superb unusual gift if your too tight to part with the Gin of Vodka you've made

Sloe gin is traditionally made in Ireland and Britain. This liqueur has a flavor similar to plum liqueur and the colour is dark red. It is served in small amounts (yeah right) as an after-dinner drink with or without ice.  Why not compliment with the liqueur chocolates

Remember - patience is a virtue.  Cheers.  (Please do try the chocolates)

Is there any health benefit gained by drinking sloe gin?  Consider lowering your blood pressure.