It's that time of year

It's the time of year to make sloe gin and do things with elderberries. I say do things with elderberries because I know that some people make wine very successfully with them. Unfortunately that has not been the case here at Willow House. A certain somebody, who will remain nameless, we wouldn't want to embarass HIM, has for a number of years insisted on making elderberry wine none of which has been remotely drinkable despite many "blending" attemps.

Anyway enough about the wine, below is the Willow House recipe for Elderberry Rob (shamelessly copied from last year) which is actually quite delicious and our recipe for Sloe Gin.

ELDERBERRY ROB

This is a lovely sweet, syrupy cordial that is reputed to be good for treating colds and flu.

First pick your Elderberries.

Then strip the berries from the stems and wash. Take a large pan and add equal amounts of brown sugar to elderberries and slowly bring to the boil.

Simmer gently until the mixture reaches a syrupy consistency.

Strain the syrup through muslin,bottle.

Dilute with hot water to serve.

Delicious!

SLOE GIN

Very easy to make. Pick your sloes, about a pound will do a bottle of gin. Wash them and pierce the skins. Place in a jar with an equal amount of sugar and add gin. Then all you have to do is shake the whole thing regularly. In approx. three months time strain and bottle the sloe gin, just in time for Christmas.

Comments

[Racheal]

Thanks for the Sloe gin recipe.
Racheal x

[tut-tut]

Sounds quite easy!

[mari]

Looks like I've found a new poison...thanks for the recipe!

[Nonnie]

You're right, we're all thinking about sloe gin making again. I love it! I've got all prepared so will probably make mine some time this week.

[wendy]

You are so clever, that sounds delicious. I remember my hubby (trying) to make wine in the basement one time!!!!

[Jayne]

We didn't get a chance to pick the elderberries in or hedge - the birds beat us to it & "deposited" quite a lot of purple on the patio! I'm going to pick the damsons tomorrow before they grab all those too.

[Alice C]

The Elderberry Rob looks fabulous - almost magical in the saucepan. I wish I had the recipe about two weeks ago because they are all finished now. Never mind - there is always next year!

I had to smile at your description of the home brewed wine - we have a friend who makes a concoction that he calls wine and we refer to as patio cleaner.

[nikkipolani]

The berries look very pretty indeed!

[tlchang]

What a lovely blog you have (and thanks for visiting mine)! I love the recipe for Elderberry Rob - elderberries really do seem to make a difference when it comes to winter colds, and it's great to have more ways in which to ingest them. Ours are just coming on now.

[Tracy]

Sloe Gin reminds me of when I was small my mum used to make that.

[marie]

Hi Carolyn,

I've never tried sloe gin, but I did try sloe chocolates once and they were delicious!

The Elderberry Rob sounds like a great remedy for colds and flu.

Marie x

[Kathleen Grace]

I remember making picking Elderberries as a child and mom making pie with them. It was quite delicious. Add enough sugar and you can eat Elderberries quite easily:>) I havent seen a recipe for Elderberry anything in decades, glad to know someone knows how to use tham.

[Kathleen Grace]

I remember making picking Elderberries as a child and mom making pie with them. It was quite delicious. Add enough sugar and you can eat Elderberries quite easily:>) I havent seen a recipe for Elderberry anything in decades, glad to know someone knows how to use tham.

[Daisy Cottage]

Hi Carolyn! I am remembering you today and how YOU left me my very first comment! Thank you again!!

xo,
Kim

[Felicia]

Totally groovy. I've never made elderberry rob.

[PG]

Might have to give elderberry wine another go, I made some delcious stuff once, but alas my later efforts were rather as you described and almost undrinkable. (We managed though!)
Does the rob keep well?

[Natural Attrill]

oooh, yum, I love Sloe Gin, I have never made it, but a friend of mine did a few years ago and gave me a bottle, delicious!
Penny.

[Sandy McTier]

That sounds simply divine!
Hope you are having a great week.
Blessings,
Sandy :)

[rosie]

Thanks Carolyn, I've been looking for a recipe for Sloe Gin.

[julia]

We used to visit a relative who would always offer us a bottle of his homemade wine, very generous, until we realised it was all stored in the outside (and well used!) toilet!

I think I might just try that sloe gin recipe, I've never made it before there's a first time for everything!

Julia x

[violette]

This is a name that sounds great to my hears :

"ELDERBERRY ROB"

don't ask me why, there are words I fall in love with, juste like a poem itself...

thank you.
Hugs from France

[the feathered nest]

Do you know I have two elderberry bushes and never get any berries!! I'm going to get new plants this fall and try again.

Manuela

[stephanie]

I would love to taste this! I unfortunately remember an experience with sloe gin as a teenager....not so pretty.

[deb]

Mmm.. now that sounds yummy!

[Britt-Arnhild]

Good luck with your wine making.
Great photos.