- published: 14 Jan 2012
- views: 2012789
Sloe gin is a red liqueur made with gin and sloe (blackthorn) drupes, which are a small fruit relative of the plum. Sloe gin has an alcohol content between 15 and 30 percent by volume. However, the European Union has established a minimum of 25% ABV for sloe gin to be named as such. The traditional way of making sloe gin is to soak the sloes in gin. Sugar is required to ensure the sloe juice is extracted from the fruit.
Many commercial sloe gins today are made by flavouring less expensive neutral grain spirits, although some manufacturers still use the traditional method.
Sloe gin is made from ripe sloes, which are traditionally picked after the first frost of winter (late October to early November in the northern hemisphere). Each sloe is pricked, traditionally with a thorn taken from the blackthorn bush on which they grow. An alternative folktale says that one should not prick the sloes with a metal fork unless it is made of silver. A modern variation is to pick the sloes earlier and freeze them.
Sloe Gin, sloe Gin
Tryin' to wash away the pain inside
Well I'm sick and I'm all done in
And I'm standing in the rain
And I feel like I'm gonna cry
I'm so damn lonely
And I ain't even high
I'm so damn lonely
And I feel like I'm gonna die
Mayday, mayday I've been shot down
Over the stormy sea
Well I feel that I'm drifting away
Can not seem to get a grip on me
Well. I can't even try
I'm so damn lonely
Ain't even high
I hate to go home alone,
But what else is new?
I'm so damn lonely
I hate to go home alone,
But what else is new?
I'm so damn lonely…
You stand and bleeding people pass me by
No matter if you live
No matter if you die
Sloe Gin, sloe Gin
Tryin' to wash away the pain inside
Well I'm sick and I'm all done in
I'm standing in the rain
And I feel like I'm gonna cry
I'm so damn lonely
Ain't even high