The annual Rye News Sloe Gin competition is to be held at the Rye Waterworks micropub on Wednesday February 28 from 7.30pm with judging at 8.00pm. This is a social event for entrants, judges and locals to enjoy together so do come along and bring your home brewed sloe gin and any other home brewed spirit drink.
The rules
Competition entries need to be in a glass container and with at least 100ml of sloe gin for judging (more if possible so we all can have a taste). It must be homemade.
Sloe gin and spirit based brews should be labelled with the name of the person entering.
Sloe gin makers can also leave their entries at the Waterworks for the competition.
All entries will be blind tasted by the judges
Sloes are native to Europe and have long been used by the British to create “shooting gins” (as they used to be known). You’d be forgiven for thinking that “shooting gins” are for doing shots in bars, but actually, they were favoured by the British aristocracy for sipping from a hip flask in the countryside when shooting birds and game.
What does sloe gin go with?
Sloe gin is usually made in September and November so it’s ready to drink at Christmas, it is also often drunk as a winter warmer and traditionally, drunk neat, over ice (on the rocks) or mixed into warm cocktails like a hot toddy. For dinking in the summer, make it a longer drink such as sloe gin fizz – with a lemon tonic. It’s deliciously refreshing and the sharpness of the lemon balances out the sweetness of the sloe gin
Sloe gin works with many different mixers such as blood orange and sloe gin & tonic,
sloe gin hot chocolate, cranberry & sloe gin martini and rosemary & limoncello sloe gin sparkler are all favourites.
Did you know that sloe gin might actually be good for you? While obviously, any alcohol should be consumed in moderation, sloe gin does have some hidden health benefits! It’s rich in antioxidants which help to combat many diseases and conditions, from cancer to ageing skin. Sloe gin can help your overall health and also helps blood flow, preventing blood clots, which can help with heart problems or poor circulation.
Sloe berries are full of vitamin C, which helps protect arteries and veins from hardening or clogging – perfect for those looking to maintain good heart health. Another great thing about sloe gin is that it can act as a natural digestive aid. The alcohol in sloe gin aids digestion by relaxing the muscles in your stomach and helping break down food – this can help with bloating, cramps, and other digestive issues.
So, the next time you indulge in sloe gin, remember that it is doing more than wetting your whistle — it may actually be doing you some good!
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .