Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail

Learn what sloe gin is and how to use it to make one of our favorite cocktails: the sloe gin fizz.

Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

Have you ever tried a sloe gin fizz? It’s refreshing and delightfully balances sweet against tart. It begins with Sloe Gin then we add fresh lemon, a little sugar and club soda. Cheery and simple.

What is Sloe Gin?

Sloe gin comes from across the pond in England and has everything to do with “sloe berries.” They’re small wild berries found across England. You wouldn’t want to pick them off the bush, though. Apparently, they taste terrible.

In all their wisdom, people found a way to turn these tiny berries into something tasty. How? By soaking them in liquor, of course. The berries were soaked in gin along with a touch of sugar. And that’s how Sloe Gin came to be.

Buying Sloe Gin

Today, you’ll most likely find two varieties of Sloe Gin in the US. They’re easy to tell apart since one is pricy and has a high alcohol content and the other is inexpensive and has an alcohol content closer to 30 proof.

Let’s start with the more expensive variety. Two common Sloe Gins are Plymouth and Bitter Truth. Both of these are made in the style mentioned above – soaking sloe berries in high proof gin. Depending on where you live, these may be difficult to find. (It is for us, unless we buy online).

The less expensive sloe gins are lower in alcohol content and cost much less ($10-$15). In fact, you might even find that gin was never actually used and instead a neutral grain alcohol. Since these are much less in alcohol content, if you’re using them, you’ll want to also add regular gin to your cocktail. That helps with taste. (The less expensive sloe gins can be a bit sweeter). If you were to use the more expensive variety, there’s no need to add any extra gin at all. We’ve provided instructions below in the recipe for both options.

One more thing, you can actually make your own Sloe Gin at home. If you’re up to it, check out this recipe for Homemade Sloe Gin.

How to Make a Sloe Gin Fizz

Did you enjoy our Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe? If so, we bet you’ll love these:

Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail

  • PREP
  • TOTAL

A sloe gin fizz is refreshing and delightfully balances sweet against tart. It begins with Sloe Gin then we add fresh lemon, a little sugar and club soda.

Makes 1 drink

You Will Need

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sloe gin

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) gin

1 to 1 1/2 ounce (2 to 3 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon simple syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar

2 ounces (1/4 cup) club soda

Lemon slice for serving

Ice

Directions

    1Add sloe gin, regular gin, 1/2 ounce of lemon juice and simple syrup (or sugar) to a cocktail shaker filled half way with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled. Taste then adjust with additional lemon or simple syrup/sugar. Shake.

    2Strain cocktail into a glass filled with ice then top with club soda and garnish with lemon wedge.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

  • Note on Sloe Gin: Since there are two varieties of sloe gin that are available the US, the recipe changes based on which you have at home. The recipe above assumes that you are using the less expensive 30-proof variety of sloe gin. If you are using the more expensive, higher proof option, do not add additional gin, and instead increase the amount of sloe gin from 1 ounce to 2 ounces.
  • Note on simple syrup: We realize we are only asking you to use 1 teaspoon of simple syrup and if you are only making one or two drinks, you may not want to make simple syrup yourself. You can buy it or substitute regular sugar. If using sugar, you will need to stir or shake the gin, lemon juice and sugar well so that the sugar granules dissolve. If you do plan on making your own simple syrup, it is very easy and you can follow our instructions by seeing our article for how to make simple syrup.
  • Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 drink / Calories 163 / Protein 0 g / Carbohydrate 5 g / Dietary Fiber 0 g / Total Sugars 3 g / Total Fat 0 g / Saturated Fat 0 g / Cholesterol 0 mg / Sodium 2 mg
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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11 comments… Leave a Review
  • Ruth May 16, 2022, 3:29 am

    Love Love love this drink not too sweet

    Reply
  • Michelle Raines Barrett October 1, 2021, 10:11 am

    Like these ideas

    Reply
  • Annie September 25, 2021, 2:11 pm

    This is hands down my favorite drink. I’m obsessed! I’ve tweeked the recipe some to my own liking and use equal amounts of gin, sloe gin liquor (Dekuyper’s the best), fresh squeezed lemon/lime juice, and simple syrup with a generous float of sparkling water to finish. Mmmmm. I’ve converted many of my friends as well.
    Thank you Adam and Joanne!!

    Reply
  • Gail Furioso April 17, 2020, 9:32 am

    In the 60’s the bartender at the club I went to, used brioschi for the fizz!

    Reply
  • Alex November 22, 2018, 8:39 am

    I love it

    Reply
  • Katie March 13, 2018, 4:36 pm

    Sorry to be picky, but I just wanted to mention that the 1 to 1 1/2 oz. of lemon juice would be 2 to 3 tablespoons (not 1 to 2 tablespoons.) But I liked this recipe, and the background and extra info. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Adam April 13, 2018, 1:35 pm

      Great catch! We just fixed the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  • Steven March 25, 2017, 7:08 am

    My dad always used grenadine for these. From the pictures it appears that these recipes do as well.

    Reply
  • Lola January 6, 2017, 11:41 pm

    I agree that simple syrup is simple to make. If you don’t feel like making it though you could use ginger ale instead up soda and simple syrup. I would probably still at the fresh lemon juice though. Just a tip from an ex bartender;-)

    Reply
  • Steven April 26, 2015, 9:30 pm

    Great recipe, I like that you added the regular gin too for a little heat, most bars (including those that I work at) use cheaper, sweeter sloe gin and I always add the regular gin like your recipe called for.

    One problem though… This drink is flat and textureless and borderline ‘girly’ without the addition of an egg white. It is essential for this cocktail, it’s what gives body and texture to the ‘fizz’ and is an absolute must. Skye gin fizz without egg white should not be called by the same name.

    Add one egg white to the above recipe, and toss something for agitation into your shaker (the spring from your strainer is what I use) before shaking VIGOROUSLY for at least 45-60 seconds. the end result will make you never want to even touch this drink without egg white.

    Reply
  • Angie@Angie's Recipes February 7, 2013, 11:42 am

    It looks refreshing and appetizing indeed!

    Reply

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