Jubilee Wood – Fruit for Free

If you are quick, there is a good crop of sloes to be harvested from Jubilee Wood.

It's the perfect time to be making Sloe Gin, and this 'fruit for free' is just on your doorstep.

Sloe Gin is a red liqueur made with gin and sloes (a relative of the plum).

Sloe Gin has an alcohol content between 15-30% by volume.

TWiG Recipe – Sloe Gin
Ingredients
* 450g/1lb sloes
* 225g/8oz caster sugar
* 1 litre/1¾ pint gin

Method
* Prick the tough skin of the sloes all over with a clean needle and then place them in a large sterilised jar.
* Pour in the sugar and the gin. Seal tightly and shake well.
* Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake every other day for a week. Then shake once a week for at least two months.
*Strain the sloe gin through muslin into a sterilised bottle.

Top Tip!
When you've strained and bottled the sloe gin, remove the flesh from the sloes and, on a low heat, slowly mix the fruit with some melted dark chocolate. Form into mouth size bites, cool and enjoy.