Sloe gin is a British red liqueur made with gin and sloes, which are the fruit of the blackthorn plant, a relative of the plum. Sloe gin has an alcohol content between 15 and 30 percent by volume, but the European Union has established a minimum of 25% ABV for sloe gin to be named as such. Sloe gin is technically a gin-based liqueur, but due to historical prevalence at the time of writing the EU spirit drink regulations, the colloquial name sloe gin was included in the legal definitions and as such is the only gin-based liqueur that can legally be called gin without the liqueur suffix. The traditional way of making sloe gin is to soak the sloes in gin, and the sloes 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, and the sweetness can be adjusted to taste at the end of the process, although sufficient sugar is required while the fruit is steeped to ensure full extraction of flavor. When made sufficiently slowly, the alcohol extracts an almond-like essence from the sloes stones. Recipes for sloe gin vary depending on the makers taste. Sloe gin tends to have a lower alcohol content than traditional gin of 15 and 30 percent by volume. The Settlers Sloe Gin is pleasantly tart with attractive juniper and herbal notes, but is a proper gin with an alcohol content of 43 ABV. Sloe gin can be enjoyed neat or used as a modifying ingredient for cocktails.