What is Sloe?
Sloe, pronounced “slow,” is a type of fruit found in England—it grows in abundance in thorny hedges. It’s slightly larger than a blueberry and belongs to the same family as plums. The flavor is plum-like, but they are very sour and bitter. When combined with sugar in the same manner as rhubarb, they can transform into delicious jams, syrups, and liqueurs, like sloe gin. Most, but not all, sloe gin brands hail from England. Hayman’s and Plymouth are brands available across the U.S. There are a few stateside makers as well, like Spirit Works and Averell, that use sloe berries or plums. Sloe gin is traditionally steeped with baking spices, like cinnamon and cardamom. With those heady, warming flavors, it’s no wonder that it’s a drink especially enjoyed during the holidays.
The Best Citrus for Sloe Gin Fizz
Traditionally, fresh lemon juice is used to make gin fizz, including the sloe gin fizz. You can use fresh lime juice instead. The zingy, floral notes of the lime pair very well with the sloe gin. In fact, I prefer it over lemon juice. Try one of each and decide which you like best.
Add An Egg White, If You’d Like
An egg white is often added to give the cocktail a dramatic, foamy head and a silky-smooth texture. For 1 cocktail, use 1 egg white. Dry shake the egg white with the sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup first—this means shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice to create foam. Then, add ice and shake again to chill and properly dilute the cocktail. If you are concerned about uncooked egg whites, use the pasteurized egg whites found in a carton. You can find it near the eggs at your local grocery store. Make sure they are just egg whites with no additives. Aquafaba is a great alternative to egg whites. It is the liquid in a can of chickpeas and can be used the same way you would an egg white.
How to Serve Sloe Gin Fizz
You’ll need a tall glass that holds about 12 ounces, like a Collins glass. It should be roomy enough to accommodate the ice plus the rest of the ingredients. No need to worry about the type of ice—any from your freezer will be just fine! And the same simplicity goes for the garnish. A simple lemon or lime wheel will hint to the citrus in the cocktail. This is especially helpful when I make several using different citrus juice. For example, my husband prefers classic lemon juice while I’ll take lime, and the garnish tells us which is which at a glance.
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