Craft your own bottle of aromatic, ruby-red sloe gin with this simple yet rewarding recipe that captures the essence of autumn. Featuring tart, juicy sloe berries, sweet granulated sugar, and your favorite gin, this homemade liqueur requires minimal preparation but delivers maximum flavor. The infusion process allows the berries to release their deep, tangy essence, balancing perfectly with the ginโs botanicals and the subtle sweetness of the sugar. While patience is keyโletting it mature for 8 weeks or longer results in a smoother, richer profileโthe result is well worth the wait. Perfect for sipping neat, crafting cocktails, or gifting during the holiday season, this DIY sloe gin recipe will become a timeless favorite.
1. If using fresh sloe berries, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry. Remove any stems or leaves. For frozen berries, allow them to thaw completely.
2. Prick each berry a few times with a sharp needle or the tip of a knife to help release their juices during infusion.
3. In a clean, sterilized 1.5-litre glass jar or bottle, add the prepared sloe berries.
4. Pour the granulated sugar over the berries, ensuring even distribution.
5. Add the gin to the jar, pouring gently until the berries are fully submerged, and there is about 2-3 cm of space at the top of the jar.
6. Close the jar tightly and shake well until the sugar starts to dissolve.
7. Store the jar in a cool, dark place. Shake the jar daily for the first week to ensure the sugar dissolves completely and the ingredients mix well.
8. After the first week, shake the jar every few days, and allow the mixture to infuse for a minimum of 8 weeks, though 3 months is ideal for a richer flavor.
9. Once the infusion time is complete, strain the sloe gin through a fine-mesh sieve lined with muslin or cheesecloth into a clean, sterilized bottle.
10. Seal the bottle and store in a cool, dark place. Sloe gin improves with age, so consider letting it mature for a few months before serving!
Calories |
3532 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.5 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 313.0 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.0 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 282.5 g | ||
| Protein | 3.0 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 160 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 1270 mg | 27% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.