Try to pick the sloes away from roads and pollution, I use the general recipe of 1lb sloes, 1lb caster sugar and 1 litre of gin - this produces a very sweet drink which is how we like it.
I also use vodka if I have it in - sometimes half vodka/half gin ( I call this sloe ginka for a bit of fun!) you can substitute the sloes for other fruit and the gin for another spirit, my favourite being bramble brandy and I keep meaning to make raspberry vodka which sounds delicious.
Some people prick the sloes, freeze them first or roll a grater over them, I just simply put all the ingredients in a large preserving jar with a good seal and shake, shake once a day for the first week, then twice a week, then once a week until the sugar has dissolved.
Leave for a couple of months and then drink....lots! (but not at the same time!).
