Drinks

Sloe Gin

Thoroughly clean and dry four wine bottles.  Half fill them with 4lbs of sloes pricked over with large darning needle.  The fruit is better after having suffered a severe frost.

Add to each bottle – 4ozs granulated sugar and a tablespoon of schnaps or clear brandy (any firewater).  Top up with London Dry gin – about five pints of gin.

Cork securely.  Leave at least 4 months giving bottles a shake now and then.

Open bottles and strain until liquid is quite clear.  Rebottle and cork & store a further 2 months

Mum’s note:  I used to make this every year for Christmas, but it became less popular in the late eighties.  It was really delicious and a beautiful colour.

Turmeric Pick-Me-Up

1 tsp turmeric stirred into cup of hot water.  Mix in ½ tsp honey.  Sip to revive.