Sloe Gin
From Ballymaloe Cookery Course by Darina Allen, this is an easy-peasy recipe for sloe gin - a real winter warmer.
Makes enough to fill a 2 litre kilner jar
850ml (1½ pints) damsons or sloes
350g (12 oz) unrefined white sugar
1.2 litres (2 pints) gin
Method
Wash and dry the sloes. Prick in several places with a clean darning needle. Put them into a sterilised glass kilner jar, add the sugar and pour in the gin. Cover and seal tightly.
Shake every couple of days to start with and then every now and again for two to three months, by which time it will be ready to strain and bottle.
FoodLovers price £17.98 (RRP £30.00)
RECIPE TIPS
Darina says "Sloe gin will improve on keeping so try to resist drinking it for a few months - should be perfect by Christmas"