How to Make Sloe Gin

10/9/2023

When Autumn comes around, it's time to pick your sloes or buy them locally (they’re even available on eBay!) and then get them in with your gin so that there's plenty of time for the gin to take on the wonderful flavours of the sloes in time to crack open a bottle at Christmas. Here's our simple recipe to make your Sloe Gin your best ever batch this year!

There are many different Sloe Gin recipes, some involving individually pricking each sloe with a pin and others involving infusion with other fruits and spices. Some recipes will recommend adding a large amount of sugar in with your sloes and gin at first, but as the tartness of sloes varies each year and from place to place, adding sugar in at the beginning can result in overly sweet Sloe Gin. Rather than this, our top tip is to mix up some sugar syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar, dissolved together in a saucepan) and when your Sloe Gin is ready to drink, add the sugar syrup to it gradually for your preferred level of sweetness.

Sloe Gin Kits
To get started, Sloe Gin kits are available and include jars, bottles, a funnel and muslin cloth for filtering, or you can use your own recycled containers (make sure they are air/water-tight). Well washed glass containers are recommended to avoid any unwanted extra flavours tainting your Sloe Gin!

We've gathered quite a collection of Kilner Sloe Gin kits over the years and you can buy one on Amazon.

Here’s our simple recipe for a wonderful batch of Sloe Gin:

1. Preparation:

Pick ripe sloes (or buy them if you can’t pick them locally).
Wash the sloes and pat them dry.
Put the sloes in a freezer bag and freeze them for at least 24 hours – this breaks their internal structure and helps release their juices.
Add the frozen sloes into a large wide-mouthed jar, filling 1/3 of the jar.
Fill the jar up with gin.

2. Infusion (the waiting part!):

Store your jar/s for 3 or more months in a cool, dark place.
Turn the jar upside-down every 5 - 7 days.
Be patient - it's so tempting to bottle your gin early, but it is worth the extra wait!

3. Filtering & Bottling:

Filter your sloe gin through a muslin cloth into a large jug.
Taste your sloe gin and gradually add sugar syrup, regularly stirring it in and re-tasting until it reaches your preferred level of sweetness.
Pour your sloe gin into airtight bottles.
Store the bottles in a cool dark place and enjoy!

Which is the Best Gin for Making Sloe Gin with?
At this time of year we're frequently asked, 'which gin should I use for my Sloe Gin?'. Sloes can vary greatly from place to place and from year to year, which is part of the joy of sloe gin, and they are the overriding factor in what your sloe gin will taste like. However, the amount of sugar or sugar syrup you add and your choice of gin can also impact the flavour, character and smoothness.

Have a read of our guide to help you choose an ideal and affordable gin, based on the subtleties of flavour you might like to achieve in your sloe gin - bittersweet and fruity, earthy and classic, or wintery and spiced. We've also highlighted some gin options that are on offer and great value! - Read the guide.

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