Author Topic: Cheapest Gin in the UK?  (Read 3382 times)

Cheapest Gin in the UK?
on: September 18, 2007, 21:14:35 PM
Ive been out collecting loads of Damsons and I want to make lots of Damson gin  :)  

Where am I likly to find the cheapest gin? Major supermarkets? Aldi/Lidl Cash and carry?

The quality really doesnt matter as all tastes are completely masked by the Damson and sugar.  :)

So far from online prices i have:

Tesco Value Gin             £9.27/litre
Asda Smartprice Gin      £8.82/litre
Sainsburys Gin Basics   £9.27/litre


EDIT: Please move this to the shiny new Food and Drink forum!
Formerly sexytw

  • Offline Serious

  • Posts: 14,467
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #1 on: September 18, 2007, 22:53:31 PM
Have a look at the price of vodka too, basically its gin without the flavour.

If you really want cheap take a trip onto the continent and buy in bulk.

TBH though I dont like gin, I prefer neat whisky.

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #2 on: September 18, 2007, 22:58:27 PM
Gin is better with damsons.  Dont pollute it with other stuff either, so far the nicest stuff Ive made (besides sloe gin) is straight damson gin.  I found using gordons instead of supermarket own brand makes it taste *slightly* cleaner, but not enough to justify the price.

Im a whisky man myself too, but flavoured gin is nice once in a while.  More popular with the ladies too  8-)

  • Offline jamieL

  • Posts: 641
  • Hero Member
Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #3 on: September 18, 2007, 23:35:12 PM
Anyone care to explain what Damsons are please? Never heard of em!

  • Offline Serious

  • Posts: 14,467
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #4 on: September 18, 2007, 23:43:29 PM
Quote from: jamieL
Anyone care to explain what Damsons are please? Never heard of em!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damson

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #5 on: September 18, 2007, 23:48:17 PM
Makes good gin and jam.  Not so nice to eat on their own though.

Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #6 on: September 19, 2007, 07:18:08 AM
I made Damson gin last year, its really tasty.

Id say its a cross between Ribena and Port (with the strength of gin :) ).

The recipe I use is the 3-2-1 recipe. 3lbs of damsons (each pricked a few times with a pin), 2bls of regular sugar, 1 pint of gin. All goes into a bottle which you turn/shake every day(ish) until all the sugar has disolved.

Then strain the damsons off (wich taste great with icecream) and drink!

Its best left for around a year to get the full flavour but I drank last years batch after about 7 months :-)
Formerly sexytw

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #7 on: September 19, 2007, 10:50:58 AM
It doesnt really need to be left that long.  3 months is fine, you wont get all that much benefit from leaving it longer, since most of the flavour is out of the fruit by then (which means they taste pretty nasty, even with ice cream:()

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #8 on: September 19, 2007, 12:57:33 PM
tried Slo Gin?

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #9 on: September 19, 2007, 13:01:51 PM
wrong season aint it? dont think our sloes are out yet

Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #10 on: September 19, 2007, 17:44:27 PM
Ive tried at and love it (sloe gin). I didnt manage to get any last year but i will certainly be on hte look out this year.

Apparently you shouldnt pick them until the first frost (although the may look ready before).

Ive still not made a decison on my gin supplier, im going to check aldi and lidl when i get a chance, and also Booker cash and carry. Dont get paid fof a week and a bit so the damsons are in the freezer til then
Formerly sexytw

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #11 on: September 19, 2007, 17:51:59 PM
Make your Own..
Gin is made from Potatoes aint it?

  • Offline Edd

  • Posts: 1,504
  • Hero Member
Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #12 on: September 19, 2007, 20:20:48 PM
thats moonshine

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #13 on: September 19, 2007, 20:32:55 PM
Nah its a grain spirit I think, with juniper etc

Re:Cheapest Gin in the UK?
Reply #14 on: September 19, 2007, 20:35:33 PM
Quote
Gin is a product obtained by original distillation from mash, or by redistillation of distilled spirits, or by mixing neutral spirits, with or over juniper berries and other aromatics, or with or over extracts derived from infusions, percolations, or maceration of such materials, and includes mixtures of gin and neutral spirits. It shall derive its main characteristic flavor from juniper berries and be bottled at not less than 80 deg. proof.
Source

So unless i fancy a bit of distilling from mash(?) or pure alcohol  :twisted: ill probably stick to a retail gin :)

Formerly sexytw

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.