Sloe Gin - cooking recipe

Ingredients

300 g sloes
150 g sugar
500 ml gin
4 whole cloves (optional)
3 drops almond essence (optional)

Preparation

Wash and dry the sloes.
Either pop them in the freezer for a week or so, until the skins after cracked, or use a needle or sharp skewer to make holes in their skins.
Put the sloes into a large glass jar or bottle.
Add the sugar.
Pour on the gin.
Add the cloves and essence if using.
Seal the container.
Leave the container for at least two months. Shake it every two or three days at first, then every week.
Strain the liquid into smaller bottles. The longer you wait before this step, the better the drink will taste.
Be warned - this is strong stuff! (Hic!).