Not so sloe gin...

When we took on our new allotment at the beginning of the year we were thrilled to see so many fruit bushes, one of which was a red currant. Now I will admit I've never really liked red currants, so went in search of recipes to use them in. 

Amongst the usual jams, jellies and tarts I found a recipe for red currant gin. I've been making Sloe gin for years, but it's always a race between me, the frost and the birds to get the berries.  So would my sloe gin recipe work with red currants? I couldn't see why not so gave it try - if you don't try you won't know, nothing to loose as they say. 

So at the end of May I picked the red currants and used them as per my sloe gin recipe. Last night I sampled a drop of the bright pink liquor and wow, this is surely what red currants were made for?! So this morning I have strained and bottled, this will definitely be in my list of allotment makes for next year. 

Is there a recipe I hear you ask? Well yes, of course - here it is....

Sarah's very pink red currant gin

Ingredients

1 litre of gin (any cheap gin will do) plus a spare bottle

Red currants

White Sugar

Method 

Empty the gin in to a jug

Wash the red currants and remove all stalks/leafs as these will make it bitter. 

Fill each bottle approx 1/4 full with red currants. 

Add sugar until just under half way. 

Top up the bottles with gin until full. 

Screw lids on tight and gently tip up and down a few times, do this every day for the first week, then once a week for the next 12 weeks. Store bottles in a cool dark place. 

Once 12 weeks have passed, pass through a sieve to remove berries, then bottle your pink gin and label. 

Can be served neat with ice or with lemonade - enjoy!