Sloe Gin Cockatil
Try something a little different this week with a Sloe Gin Cocktail.
This classic drink, dating back prior to 1964, is a sweet mixture that lets Sloe Gin shine. Sloe Gin is a very red liqueur flavored with sloe berries, also known as blackthorn (a fruit related to plums). Though gin is in the name, it’s not really Gin nor is it as strong. This liqueur is perhaps easier to come by in stores than at bars. It’s more widely known in western Europe where it originates as far back as the 1880s.
What you’ll need: Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Bitters, and optionally, Lemon Juice.
Pour 2 ounces of Sloe Gin, 1/2 ounce vermouth, and 2 dashes of bitters in a shaker over cracked ice. Optionally, add in a dash or two of lemon juice. Shake and then strain into a cocktail glass, ideally one that’s been chilled.
How I like it: I prefer this drink with a bit of lemon juice to slightly offset the bitters. Mostly, you’ll just be savoring the flavor of Sloe Gin, a very rich, deep-bodied flavor similar to currant and yes, plums. For bitters, I used the well-known Angostura Bitters, a must have for any home bar.
And as always, drink responsibly!
The Poisoned Martini 