GREENWOOD
Nature and the neighbourhood
Hedgerow Sloes
Sloes, the fruits of the Blackthorn, are ripening in the hedgerows around Charlton Down. They resemble small grapes or damsons. They look delicious but they seem to be used mostly for flavouring gin.
GREENWOOD 
They need frost to get more tasty, then they are nice for some home-made liquer : with 200 g sloes, 175 g sugar, maybe 1 vanilla pod plus / or 1 cinnamon stick, 700 ml vodka or white rum. It needs about eight weeks then to get ready for a try.
Thank you for the recipe, Puzzleblume. Very useful information.
They look delicious but are very sharp, much better added to gin and made into sloe gin.
Thank you, Yvonne. I must admit that I have never tried them myself – lots of things like this are an acquired taste.