Sloe gin is a classic liqueur made from the fruit of the blackthorn bush. It is sweet, tart, and has a deep red color. Sloe gin has been around for centuries and is still popular today. Whether you're looking to make your own sloe gin or just trying out different brands, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here's a guide to some of the best sloe gin brands from both Europe and the United States.
Fords Gin Sloe Gin: This liqueur comes from the makers of Fords Gin and is perfect for both sipping neat or mixing into cocktails. It has a bright nose with notes of cherries, cranberries, and wood, and on the palate you'll find ripe sweetness, fresh acidity, and sour cherry with a touch of tartness and warmth.
Hayman's Sloe Gin: Hayman's website describes their product as “A true English Sloe Gin defined by its balance – not too sweet, not too tart with an unmistakable taste of gin”. On the nose you'll find pomegranate and cranberry while in the palate ripe sweetness will coat your tongue before it ends in fresh acidity with hints of sour cherry.
Gordons Sloe Gin: This brand makes for an excellent base for fruity cocktails because it combines notes of juniper berry with sweet sloes (blackthorn berries). It has a light bouquet that features wild strawberries and raspberries as well as notes of almond and liquorice root wich give it depth on the palate.
Bols Sloe Gin: This Dutch label offers a smooth yet bold flavor combination with its bright cherry aroma followed by notes of blueberry jam on the palate which leads into a long finish laced with cinnamon spice. Perfect for adding extra oomph to any cocktail!
The Bottom Line
Whether you're looking for something sweet or something tart, there's no doubt that these brands have something delicious up their sleeves! Whether you're sipping neat or mixing up creative cocktails, sloe gin adds just enough zing to any occasion so don't hesitate to pick up a bottle today!
What Types of Sloe Gin Are Available?
Sloe gin is a type of liqueur made from steeped sloe berries, sugar, and gin. Some of the most popular brands of sloe gin include Plymouth Sloe Gin (from England), Bitter Truth Sloe Gin (from Germany), and Fords Gin Sloe Gin (from the United States). Other brands available on the market are Gordon's Sloe Gin, Tanqueray Sloe Gin, Beefeater Sloe Gin, and Langleys No. 8 Sloe Gin. All of these brands vary in flavor profiles depending on their individual recipes, but all feature the sweet tartness of sloes as a major component.
Source: olivemagazine.com
Availability of Sloe Gin in the United States
Yes, you can get sloe gin in the US. Hayman's is a popular brand of sloe gin that is widely available in the US. This English-style sloe gin is characterized by its smooth balance of sweetness and tartness, with distinct notes of cherries, cranberries and wood. Sloe gin can be found in many liquor stores or online retailers.
What Is Sloe Gin?
Sloe gin is a type of liqueur made with gin that has been steeped with sugar and sloe berries, which are small, dark red fruits from the Blackthorn plant. The spirit has a berry-pink hue and its proof is lowered to as low as 15%. It is not a gin in the traditional sense, as it does not contain juniper berries or other aromatics like most gins do. Instead, it is classified as a liqueur due to its sweeter taste and lower proof.
The Alcohol Content of Sloe Gin
Sloe gin is an alcoholic beverage, with an alcohol content ranging between 15 and 30 percent by volume. The European Union has established a minimum of 25% ABV for sloe gin to be named as such. Therefore, it can be considered relatively strong compared to other alcoholic beverages. Its sweet flavor is usually enjoyed in a variety of cocktails or as a digestif. It should be noted that although its taste may appear light, it should still be consumed in moderation due to its high alcohol content.
The Origin of Sloe Gin
Sloe gin is a British spirit, traditionally made by steeping sloe berries, the fruit of the blackthorn bush, in gin. The recipe was thought to have been passed down from monks in medieval times and is still popular in Britain today. Sloe gin has also spread to other parts of the world; however, this variety is often much sweeter than its traditional British counterpart and may contain added sweeteners such as sugar or honey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different sloe gin brands to choose from. Fords Gin Sloe Gin and Hayman's Sloe Gin are both excellent examples of this unique type of liqueur. Both have distinct characteristics that make them great choices for those who want a tart and sweet spirit. Fords Gin Sloe Gin is new on the market and features a balance of tartness and sweetness, while Hayman's Sloe Gin has notes of pomegranate and cranberry with a bright flavor profile. The main difference between sloe gin and traditional gin is the main ingredient; sloe gin is derived from the sloe berry while gin is derived from the juniper berry. Additionally, sloe gin can have a lower alcohol content than gin, and it is also known for beig sweeter than traditional gin. With so many different flavors available, there's sure to be a sloe gin brand perfect for any occasion.
