Here's one...

Subject: RE: BS: Sloe Gin
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work - PM
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 10:12 AM

Tried the freeze sloes first approach, didn't seem to make it any easier/quicker to me. I just hold each sloe between thumb and forefinger and with a sharp knife cut along as much of the circumference of the sloe as you can easily reach and drop into demijohn (actually a Weston's Old Rosie scrumpy bottle as mentioned above).

My brother spends a long time each year in France and they have plenty of sloes but don't make sloe gin (although they do use to flavour a different alcoholic drink but he couldn't remember what it is).

Sloe vodka was awful when I made it. Sloe (dark) rum was nice though.

My recipe:

1 bottle cheapest gin (7ocL)
1 lb of sloes
1 lb sugar (although I tend to put a bit less in, say 12-14oz)

Shake demijohn every day till sugar is dissolved

Leave for as long as possible (at least three months and years better)

Decant into bottles for use (I filter through an old but clean hankie)

Enjoy!