Sloe Gin Fizz
Our Sloe Gin Fizz is a sweet and tart cocktail made with just 4 ingredients and ready in about 5 minutes! It has plenty of fruity flavor, a bright pop of fresh lemon, and just the right amount of fizz.
Sloe gin is the star of this pretty pink cocktail, with simple syrup to balance the tart lemon and club soda to make every sip bubbly and refreshing. You may also see this drink called a slow gin fizz, but either way, it’s an easy one to shake up for Happy Hour!
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
There’s a lot to love about this easy cocktail, but here’s why all those simple ingredients work so well together!
- You can make it stronger. Sloe gin is typically lower in alcohol than regular gin, so adding a little dry gin is an easy way to give your cocktail more of a kick.
- Sloe gin brings the flavor. It’s fruity, slightly tart, and sweeter than regular gin, so you get a lot of flavor from one ingredient.
- Fresh lemon keeps it balanced. The acidity cuts through the sweetness of the sloe gin and simple syrup for a cocktail that’s bright rather than sugary.
- Club soda lightens everything up. A generous splash adds plenty of bubbles and keeps this fruity cocktail refreshing.
What is Sloe Gin?
Despite the name, sloe gin isn’t the same thing as a bottle of regular gin. It’s a gin-based liqueur made by steeping tart sloe berries in gin and adding sugar, which gives it that fruity flavor and gorgeous deep pink color. Most sloe gins are around 25% to 30% ABV (50-60 proof), so they’re usually lower in alcohol than traditional gin.
Ingredients
Sloe gin: Look for sloe gin with the cordials and liqueurs at the liquor store rather than with the regular gin. We like Hayman’s Sloe Gin, but you can use your favorite brand.
Lemon juice: Fresh-squeezed lemon juice gives this cocktail the best bright, tart flavor. One lemon should give you plenty of juice for a single cocktail.
Simple syrup: A little simple syrup balances the tart lemon and fruity sloe gin. You can use store-bought simple syrup or make your own with equal parts sugar and water.
Club soda: This is what gives a Sloe Gin Fizz all those refreshing bubbles! Club soda is our go-to, but sparkling water or seltzer will also work.
How to Make a Sloe Gin Fizz
STEP ONE: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour in the sloe gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. The mixture will have that gorgeous deep pink color as soon as everything comes together.
STEP TWO: Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. The shaker should feel nice and frosty on the outside when your cocktail is properly chilled. Strain it into an ice-filled Collins or highball glass.
STEP THREE: Slowly pour in the club soda to give the cocktail its light, bubbly finish. Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge and serve right away while it’s nice and fizzy!
Tips for Success
The basic recipe is super simple, but these easy tips and optional twists will help you make your Sloe Gin Fizz just the way you like it!
- Swap the simple syrup: In a pinch, confectioner’s sugar is a great substitute because it dissolves easily. Start with a little, then adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Use fresh lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice will work, but freshly squeezed lemon gives the cocktail a much cleaner, brighter flavor.
- Try an egg white: For a creamy, frothy top, add an egg white to the sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake everything without ice first to build the foam, then add ice and shake again until chilled before straining into your glass and topping with club soda.
- Split the base with gin: Want a little more kick and a drier gin flavor? Replace half of the sloe gin with your favorite dry gin. This keeps the fruity sloe flavor while making the cocktail a bit stronger.
FAQ
Are a Sloe Gin Fizz and a Gin Fizz the same drink?
They’re close cousins, but they’re not the same cocktail. A Gin Fizz uses regular gin, while a Sloe Gin Fizz gets its fruity berry flavor and pink color from sloe gin. Sloe versions also commonly skip the egg white found in many Gin Fizz recipes.
Can I make this drink without a cocktail shaker?
Absolutely. Use a mason jar or another container with a tight-fitting lid to shake the sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain it into your glass and add the club soda last. You definitely don’t want to shake anything carbonated!
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can mix the sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup ahead of time and keep it chilled. This is a great option when you want a batch cocktail for a crowd. Wait to add the club soda until just before serving so every glass stays bubbly and fresh.
Sloe Gin Fizz Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces sloe gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 4 ounces club soda
- ice
- lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in 2 ounces sloe gin, 1 ounce lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon simple syrup.
- Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Fill with 4 ounces club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh lemon juice will give you the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch.
- No simple syrup? Confectioners’ sugar works too. Add a little at a time and adjust to taste.
- For a stronger cocktail with more traditional gin flavor, replace 1 ounce of the sloe gin with 1 ounce of dry gin.
Nutrition
Other Fabulous Fizzy Gin Cocktail Recipes
Keep the cocktail shaker handy! These fizzy favorites are perfect for your next Happy Hour.
- Ginger Beer Fizz
- Strawberry Gin Fizz
- Summer Vodka Fizz
- Ginger Apple Fizz
- Cranberry Ginger Fizz Cocktail
