[john and helen]

can anyone confirm what this is….they are a blue colour

[philcaegrug]

It might be an almond tree

[devonlady]

How big? Sloes or damsons I would say.

[bloomer]

not sloes no thorns and leaves wrong...

[john and helen]

lots of thorns,,, about inch and half…the colour was more blue than photo

[bloomer]

then sloe...

[Lesley Silvester]

Agree, they're sloes. Sloe gin for you then.

[Beeducked]

Sound a bit big for sloes. What about bullace? They are the same family and half way between sloes and damsons in size and flavour. Very nice in gin 

[Anke]

Whatever it is - plonk it onto some alcohol...

[john and helen]

  good one Anke… 

not being a Gin drinker, but i am sure i can learn, does it make it sweeter or something…

[bloomer]

use vodka :-)

[Anke]

use vodka :-)

That's what we do - blackcurrant vodka my favourite, but also raspberries....

[doganjo]

try bramble (blackberry) whisky - cheapest whisky you can find, sweeten with honey!

[devonlady]

Put your sloes/damsons/bullaces in the deep freeze for a week before pouring the gin/vodka over. this will break down the skins and release the flavour. Add 1lb/250gramms? of sugar per litre of spirit. Shake daily ( the booze, not you!) for three or four weeks, sieve through muslin and try not to drink for  a year or so. Well, you could try a bottle at Christmas and save the rest

[pgkevet]

1lb = 450 grams