Sloe gin or patxaran?

November 27, 2006

During a walk in the Downs with friends this weekend, we came across sloes, a berry which, in rural England, is infused with gin to make sloe gin. I had had home-made sloe gin last year, loved it, and quite fancied making some as well, so we excitedly proceeded to fill our pockets with the tiny fruit. When we got back, I looked up a recipe, and during my research, I found out that the liqueur that I thought was so very English actually originates from… the Basque country, where I was born, where it is known as patxaran. I also rather bizarrely found that I had a bottle of patxaran at home that I had bought on a previous trip. How ironic? Anyway, I made my very own Basque drink with local English ingredients. It will be ready in February, I’ll let you know if it’s any good!