A Quick Sloe.

Homemade sloe gin is usually a difficult feat to accomplish. But Ted Kilgore of Planter’s House provided this simple recipe. Using the distinctly piney flavor of the juniper berry, along with plum and blackberry instead of the traditional sloe drupe, he’s found a way to make a one-of-a-kind bottle of gin in only 24 hours.

PREPARATION:

First, you’ll need to get all your ingredients in order: 6-8 dark plums, 8-12 juniper berries, 2 whole cloves, 2 allspice berries, 1 lime and 10 oz. Everclear^®. You’ll also need 4 oz. white simple syrup and 10 oz. filtered water for dilution once the infusion is finished. If you don’t have any simple syrup on hand, check out our simple syrup instructions.

Use a microplane to collect zest from the lime. Then combine all your dry ingredients (lime zest, juniper berries, cloves and allspice) and grind them with a mortar and pestle.

Place the mixture in a sealable quart-sized jar and add Everclear®. Thinly slice the plums, removing the pit. Then add the sliced plums and blackberries to the jar.

Using a muddler or even the back of a wooden spoon, muddle the infusion thoroughly. Then fasten the lid and shake as if you’re mixing a cocktail to help aid the infusion.

Once thoroughly muddled and shaken, let the infusion steep in a cool, dry place for 24 hours or to taste. After it’s steeped to your liking, strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer.

Now, we need to dilute the gin down to a standard 80 proof (40% Alc./Vol.). To do this, we combine the filtered water and simple syrup with the infusion. Stir until well mixed, bottle and enjoy.

PLUM GIN

Ingredients:
16 oz. Dark plums (6-8)
8-12 Blackberries
1/8 cup Juniper berries
2 Whole cloves
2 Allspice berries
1 Lime (zest)
10 oz. Filtered water
10 oz. EVERCLEAR^® Grain Alcohol
4 oz. Simple syrup

Instructions:

1. Microplane the zest from one lime.
2. Combine juniper berries, cloves, allspice and lime zest and break up with a mortar and pestle. Place in a quart-sized jar.
3. Add Everclear, sliced plums and blackberries.
4. Muddle thoroughly. Then fasten the lid and shake well.
5. Let steep for 24 hours.
6. Strain out all solids with a fine mesh strainer.
7. Combine infusion with filtered water and simple syrup to dilute.
8. Stir, bottle and enjoy.

Tips:
For a more distinct “gin” flavor, try adding more juniper berries. As the recipe stands, it’s meant to give off a slight gin flavor while letting the plum and blackberry take front stage. Doubling the juniper berries to ¼ cup will give your gin a more traditional profile.