Historically, despite being a liqueur based upon gin, the EU included the colloquial name sloe gin to the legal definitions; thus, sloe gin is the only alcoholic beverage that legally uses the term gin without appending the liqueur suffix. 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 wide-necked jar is filled half way with pricked sloes and some sugar. The jar is then filled with gin, sealed, turned several times to mix and stored in a cool, dark place. After a few months, the gin will now have a deep ruby red colour : Sloe Gin!