Sloe gin

Sloe Gin is a traditional British liqueur made from the sloe berries of the blackthorn bush (Prunus spinosa), sugar, and gin. The sloe berries are steeped in gin, often with sugar added, to produce a tart, fruity and aromatic drink that is often enjoyed in the winter months.

History

The origins of sloe gin are believed to date back to the 17th century in England, where it was traditionally made in the autumn, after the first frosts of the year. The frost helps to break down the tough skins of the sloe berries, allowing the juice to mix with the gin more easily. The drink was traditionally enjoyed at Christmas time, but has since become popular year-round.

Production

To make sloe gin, the sloe berries are first pricked with a needle or frozen to break the skin. They are then steeped in gin, often with sugar added, for several months. The sugar helps to extract the juice from the sloe berries, while the gin acts as a preservative. The resulting liqueur is a deep, ruby red colour with a tart, fruity flavour.

Variations

There are many variations of sloe gin, with different recipes calling for different amounts of sugar, different types of gin, and different steeping times. Some recipes also include additional ingredients, such as cloves or cinnamon, to add extra flavour.

Consumption

Sloe gin is often enjoyed neat, but it can also be used in a variety of cocktails. One of the most popular sloe gin cocktails is the Sloe Gin Fizz, which combines sloe gin with lemon juice, sugar, and soda water.

See also

• Gin
• Liqueur
• Prunus spinosa
• Sloe Gin Fizz