Yes, the title is spelled correctly. Sloe Gin is the base of this week’s drink – the Sloe Gin Fizz (AKA the Slow Gin Fizz). Sloe Gin is traditionally made by infusing plain gin with sloe berries and sugar, creating a sort of high-test cordial. While most sloe gins commercially available today are essentially flavored neutral spirits, there are a number of traditional distillers out there. Price will guide you; if you want the real stuff, you will pay a premium, but the less expensive ones are still pretty decent, especially for this cocktail.
This drink is a classic. It always makes me think of gentlemen at a club somewhere, playing snooker and reminiscing about The Great War. You don’t need to don a fez and a smoking jacket to enjoy one, but hey, if you have ‘em lying around….
Drink Name:
Sloe (or Slow) Gin Fizz
Main Alcohol:
Gin, Sloe Gin
Type of Glass:
Highball Glass
Who Should Drink This:
Those who have a small sweet-tooth and a large fizz-tooth.
Where You Should Drink This:
Somewhere with leather armchairs and books.
What This Drink Says About You:
You’re here with the riff-raff since you detest Silly Hat Day at The Club.
Ingredients:
1 oz sloe gin
1 oz gin
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
3 – 4 oz soda water
How To Make The Drink:
In your favorite cocktail shaker, combine the first 4 ingredients over ice and shake heartily. Strain over fresh ice in a highball glass, and add the soda water. Stir once, gently, just to get the mix moving. Garnish with an orange slice, perhaps a cherry if you feel particularly festive.
