Alternative to sloe gin?

I think the sloe season has passed, my inlaws collected theirs in the autumn to make this years batch. In the past, they also have made me raspberry gin and blackberry brandy, both of which are lovely.

Sloe season is september time so you're a bit late, although you can console yourself with the knowledge that it was a bad season this year, at least in these parts and there weren't many sloes for the taking. I made damson gin and damson vodka as well as sloe gin last year but damson season is at a similar time of the year too so you've missed them too.

Gordons do a sloe gin, although have no idea of the price. There are other places around that sell it too.

Oh dear. Pud, thanks for the idea but it really needs to be home made. I wonder if I could find damsons in a shop though? Hm...

A quick google brought up mint gin and cannabis gin, then i ran away from google...

(You could buy sloe gin and rebottle it....)

That's no problem then, buy a bottle of not-home-made slow gin, soak off the label, attach home made label and maybe some other rustic looking decoration and it's home made! ? As long as you can live with the guilt of passing off shop bought as your own! I've never tried gordons' sloe gin - I wonder what it's like...

You might well still be able to get damsons...

Damsons or raspberries could work. Do I just chuck them in and leave them for a month, then strain it?

With damsons you need to prick each one with a fork and put in a bottle or large jar, add sugar (I have no idea how much, I just guessed), cheap gin (ditto), then leave to steep in a dark cupboard, agitating it every so often. I did mine for at least four or five months. Taste before straining as you might need to add more sugar. It's worth a google to get an idea of quantities and length of time to steep and you might be able to have some ready for christmas.

With raspberries I'd imagine it's a similar process but much less steeping time required.

Good luck!