Want to mix up your cocktail repertoire? This spin on the classic Gin Fizz is fruity, unique, and even more refreshing than the original. Meet the Sloe Gin Fizz! As your resident home bartenders, we’re here to offer the classic cocktails and help you find the unique liquors worth tasting. That’s where Sloe Gin comes in. It’s neither gin, nor slow, but it’s absolutely worth finding a bottle to make this cocktail! It’s tart and fizzy, with a fruity finish that makes you want to immediately keep sipping.
What’s in a sloe gin fizz?
We’re glad you asked! The Sloe Gin Fizz is a spin on the Gin Fizz, a classic cocktail invented in the 1870’s. The Sloe Gin Fizz uses sloe gin instead of gin, and likely originated around the early 1900’s. It went on to remain popular throughout the 1960’s. The drink was traditionally served with an egg white foam topping to add texture and creamy body to the drink, but can also be served without. The ingredients you’ll need for a Sloe Gin Fizz are:
Sloe ginLemon juiceSimple syrupEgg white (optional)Soda water
Another tasty gin fizz variation? Try the Ramos Gin Fizz, a New Orleans-born cocktail that tastes like lemon meringue pie.
So, what’s sloe gin?
We can’t talk about a sloe gin fizz without first talking a bit about sloe gin. Turns out, it’s not gin at all. Sloe gin is a British red liqueur that’s made with the sloe fruit and gin. Sloes are fruits that are similar to a plum, but the size of a berry. They grow wild in England, and the Brits have been making it for hundreds of years. Sloe gin is to Britain what limoncello is to Italy (source). In the 1970’s and 1980’s in America, low-quality bottles of sloe gin with artificial flavors became popular. With neon color and vaguely cherry flavor, it wasn’t made with real sloe fruit at all, and inspired low-brow drinks like the Alabama Slammer. These days, “real” sloe gin has come back into style and you can find it at your local liquor store or online. What does sloe gin taste like? Sip a spoonful straight and it’s a little like cherry cough syrup. But add it to a Sloe Gin Fizz, and it adds a nuanced fruity flavor that’s completely unique and leaves you wanting more.
A “dry shake” makes the best egg white foam
Let’s talk about that beautiful egg white foam topping on the Sloe Gin Fizz! It’s optional, but it certainly adds pizzazz. Egg whites to cocktails have been around since the 1860’s: the foam adds a frothy texture to the top and a creamy rich flavor to each sip of the drink. How to get the perfect foam? The best frothy egg white form is achieved by doing what’s called a Dry Shake. You’ll use in lots of classic cocktail recipes like the Amaretto Sour or Pisco Sour. Here’s how it works:
The first shake without ice lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.The second shake with ice cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.
How to make a Sloe Gin Fizz (basic steps)
Now that you’ve got all the parts and pieces…here are the basic steps for how to make a Sloe Gin Fizz! The only time involved is juicing the lemon and separating out the egg white! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
More drinks with sloe gin
Got a bottle of sloe gin to use up? This Sloe Gin Fizz is the most classic recipe with this tasty liqueur. But there are a few more great Sloe Gin Cocktails we’d recommend trying. Here are our favorites:
Elderflower & Sloe Gin Cocktail Sophisticated and sweet tart: the best way to use this fruity red liqueur! Lemon and St Germaine are the ideal pairing.Alabama Slammer A new and improved version of this retro highball cocktail full of fruity flavor! Perfect for boating, tailgating, and lazy afternoons.Sloe Gin & Champagne Effortlessly easy! Combine it with champagne using the ratios in this recipe (replace the Chambord).
When to serve a Sloe Gin Fizz
The Sloe Gin Fizz is a unique drink with a fruity finish that’s like nothing you’ve ever had! It’s great for impressing guests as a:
Happy hour drinkDinner party drinkSummer drinkLate night drinks drinkGuys or girls night drinkCocktail hour drink
Want a cocktail with actual gin? It’s the star in so many of the great cocktails! Here are the top gin cocktails to try: No reviews
Tom Collins Light, bubbly, sweet tart, and just plain fun.Gin Gimlet A classic cocktail made of lime juice, simple syrup and gin. Totally refreshing!Gin Gin Mule A gin-based spin on the Moscow mule.Last Word A unique pale green drink that’s a classic cocktail lost in history.Red Snapper This is the gin-based version of a Bloody Mary.Gin Sour A classic sour that’s the perfect balance of lemon, gin and syrup.Clover Club Tangy and bright pink, it features raspberry or grenadine, and a foam topping.
