| Drink | Sloe Gin Fizz, a light fizz with sloe gin and lemon |
| Base | Sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and sparkling water |
| In our recipe | 6 cl Njord Slow Sloe Gin, 3 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1.5 cl sugar syrup, topped up with sparkling water |
| Method | Shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass, topped up with sparkling water |
| Garnish | Lemon zest, twisted over the glass |
| Family | Fizz, like the Gin Fizz |
| Oldest known Fizz print | 1876, Jerry Thomas' "The Bar-Tender's Guide" |
| About sloe gin | Red liqueur of gin and sloes. At least 25% ABV in the EU |
How to make a Sloe Gin Fizz
Shake the sloe gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup with ice in a shaker and strain into a chilled glass. Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water and the drink is ready. The lemon peel is twisted over the glass to release its bitter citrus oils. Freshly squeezed lemon juice, using the lemon squeezer, makes the difference.
Sloe Gin Fizz history: what do we know?
We have not been able to find a source for who first made a Sloe Gin Fizz, or when. What we can tell you about is the two things it is built from. The fizz is a family of drinks with spirits, lemon juice, sugar and sparkling water. According to the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails the oldest known print is from 1876, in the second edition of Jerry Thomas' "The Bar-Tender's Guide", and all the earliest mentions come from New York. The name refers to the sparkling bubbles. Sloe gin, on the other hand, is a British tradition: a red liqueur made from gin and sloes, the small fruit of the blackthorn Prunus spinosa, a relative of the plum.
NJORD DESTILLERET is a Danish distillery located in Aarhus, Denmark, established in 2014 by Troels Præst Andersen and Lars Toke Graugaard. The pair has always had a passion for refining and immersing themselves in the production of gin based on Danish nature such as sea buckthorn, blueberries, spruce and heather flower and many other flavors.
Aarhusian distilleries are generally known for being experimental in their distilling of gin. The amount of ingredients and herbs in their location is admirable, and the number of different test variations exceeds what you would expect from a Danish distillery. It's safe to say that their playful and challenging approach to gin is inspiring - and that's why they come up with so many exciting flavors.
About sloe gin
According to Wikipedia, sloe gin is a liqueur, but EU rules allow it to be called "sloe gin". It must have at least 25% alcohol, and most are between 15 and 30%. The sloes are traditionally picked after the first frost, in late October or early November in the northern hemisphere. Traditionally the berries are pricked and steeped in gin with sugar for at least three months, while commercial versions are often made on neutral grain spirit.
| | Our Sloe Gin Fizz / classic Gin Fizz |
| Spirit | 6 cl Njord Slow Sloe Gin / 5 cl gin |
| Lemon | 3 cl lemon juice / 3 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice |
| Sweetness | 1.5 cl sugar syrup (plus the sweetness of sloe gin) / 1 cl sugar syrup |
| Top | Sparkling water / a splash of soda water |
| Egg white | None / none |
The classic Gin Fizz recipe is from Wikipedia. Ours uses more spirit and sloe gin instead of dry gin, so the drink gets a red colour and a fruitier flavour.
Tips for your Sloe Gin Fizz
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and chill the glass beforehand. Twist the lemon peel over the glass. You will find the equipment here: cocktail equipment. If you want a classic without sloe, try our Gin Fizz with egg white or Gin & Tonic.
Our verdict on the Sloe Gin Fizz
The Sloe Gin Fizz is a light and easy drink where the sloe gin brings colour and fruit, and the lemon and sparkling water keep it fresh. It suits a warm summer evening, as we say at the top.
Frequently asked questions about the Sloe Gin Fizz recipe
What is a Sloe Gin Fizz?
A light cocktail of sloe gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped up with sparkling water. It belongs to the Fizz family.
What goes into a Sloe Gin Fizz?
In our recipe it is 6 cl Njord Slow Sloe Gin, 3 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1.5 cl sugar syrup and sparkling water. The garnish is lemon zest.
What is sloe gin?
A red liqueur made from gin and sloes, the small fruit of the blackthorn. In the EU it must have at least 25% alcohol.
What are sloes?
The fruit of the blackthorn Prunus spinosa, a relative of the plum.
Who invented the Sloe Gin Fizz?
We have not found a source for that.
When was the Fizz invented?
The oldest known print is from 1876 in Jerry Thomas' "The Bar-Tender's Guide", but the drink may be older.
Should a Sloe Gin Fizz be shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The sloe gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup are shaken with ice, and the drink is topped up with sparkling water.
What is the difference between a Sloe Gin Fizz and a Gin Fizz?
A Sloe Gin Fizz uses sloe gin, a red liqueur, instead of regular gin. A Gin Fizz uses dry gin and can have egg white.
Is sloe gin the same as gin?
No. Sloe gin is a liqueur made from gin and sloes. EU rules do allow the name "sloe gin".
What is the garnish on a Sloe Gin Fizz?
Lemon zest, twisted over the glass.
Read more about gin cocktails
Find more gin recipes here at Whisky.dk, or see all our drink recipes. You can also read Wikipedia on sloe gin.
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