Author Topic: Sloe berries (Read 10366 times)

Jakebob · « **on:** July 19, 2009, 04:51:45 pm »

Can anyone tell me where I can buy sloe berry plants or trees from???
I rather like Sloe Gin and have thought about making my own...

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:36:31 pm »

You should be able to get Blackthorn from any good garden centre

HappyHippy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2009, 09:34:32 pm »

I bought three blackthorn plants from ebay early this year, despite the best efforts of my 4 year old I've managed to get one to grow and it seems to be doing well, I'm hoping to get cuttings from it and end up with a fair few bushes for making sloe gin and vodka

and who knows - if I end up with loads I may even sell the excess berries on ebay - they were going for over £6 per lb this year !

carl · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:15:43 pm »

blackthorns are great for hedging, and once established they spread quickly. I love sloe gin, and many of my friends and family are pleasantly surprised when they try it at our house.

doganjo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:28:35 pm »

Sloe gin, sloe vodka, raspberry whisky, strawberry vodka, blackberry whisky - the list is endless - start off in September, ready for Christmas. Yum Yum

ballingall · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:21:08 am »

Or Plum brandy, blackcurrant bacardi or redcurrant Vodka- all also good. I've been told that Pear Brandy is fantastic too.

Beth

carl · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:48:29 am »

Nice to see we have our priorities in order.

HappyHippy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2009, 01:05:09 pm »

Jakebob · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2009, 07:48:02 pm »

Fab and thank you, Im going to go hunting to see if I can find any @ the local garden centre!! I like the idea of all the different flavours......

Happyhippo thanks for ur pm. Do you have the address or a phone number? Im quite a distance away from you.....Im in Aberdeenshire!! Lol...

HappyHippy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2009, 09:38:02 pm »

Hiya,
Have pm'd you back Jakebob! Hubby's up in your neck of the woods this weekend!
But for anyone else who wants trees or shrubs etc here's the contact details
http://www.cheviot-trees.co.uk/
I've just got my 12 blackthorn and they're looking great !!! Can't wait for Xmas

Tullywood Farm · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:19:40 pm »

Any chance of some recipes under the recipe section for all these lovely alcoholic beverages ye all keep metioning here?

Julie

carl · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:04:52 pm »

My basic recipe is one given me by an old polish friend, who escaped the nazis during the war and walked to where he could be smuggled to the uk . He yhen flew fighter planes in the RAF.
1 litre of spirit ( gin or vdka or brandy, cheapest will do)
1 kilo of berries( best to freeze over night then thaw), raspberry, damson,sloe,blackcurant,blackberry, cherry, peach, apricot or whatever takes your fancy.
1/2 kilo sugar
fruit in pan, jar or big bottle, add sugar, then booze.
place in cool dark spot (pantry or garage?)
agitate every day or so for 6 weeks ish.
strain liquid into bottles.
leave for at least 6 more weeks.the longer the better.
enjoy the pleasant glow while testing.

tried some of this years blackberry vodka this evening, a lovely fragrant mix.
am in progrees of gathering blackcurrants for a vodka.

Tullywood Farm · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:48:21 pm »

Thank you so much for that recipe.

Your Polish friend sounds a real survivor - is he still around, and what was his first name, as it would be nice to put it on the bottles when I make it

Julie

carl · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:13:06 am »

Julie,
Sorry my mind is not what it was. It should be 12 weeks not six.
the chap was fred sadowski, not sure if he is still around as I gave up going to the golf club 10 years ago.
we used to pick the berries from bushes growing down the side of the course.
can obviously also use plums etc.
might try beetroot in the mix sometime?
Carl