Sludge In Sloe Gin

[atalanta]

I have made lots of sloe gin in my time, but there is always far too much sludge left at the bottom of the last bottle. I have tried every kind of filter, but still there is thickish, gel-like sludge - it happens with every batch, every year, whatever I try to do to avoid it. I always choose sloes which are not overripe or falling to bits. Is there a way to make sloe gin without getting the sludge, or, alternatively, a way of using up the sludge so it doesn't go to waste ?

[ethandron]

When my dad used to make it, he and my mum used to have the 'sludge' with custard or ice cream.

[woofgang]

try using finings before you filter if you want a clear liqueur.

[Chipchopper]

I used to prick the sloes with a fork, it allowed the juices to mingle, without the fruit pulp coming out.

[Booldawg]

finings will clear it but you'll still end up with the sludge at the bottom. This is tiny bits of skin from the sloe-berries.

You'd need a very fine filter to eradicate them. Certainly nothing food grade does the trick.

[ubasses]

I always make mine in a demijohn and filter off a bottle at a time. Filter twice through fine muslin. Completely clear bottle of sloe gin results. Doing it this way, the first bottle is quite light and lovely with tonic in summer, the last bottle is like a liqueur. You can filter off at whichever stage you prefer. Just keep the empty gin bottles to store it.

[woofgang]

coffee filter works for me