Come early autumn, when sloes burst into plump ripeness on hedgerows across the UK, it’s officially time to pour your first sloe gin of the season!

Here at Craft Gin Club, though, we’re all about discovery when it comes to gin, and sloe gin is also a fantastically versatile liqueur that can be used to create a whole range of delicious cocktails.

What does sloe gin go with?

Traditionally, sloe gin is drunk neat, over ice (on the rocks) or mixed into warm cocktails like a Hot Toddy - scroll down to find our mouthwatering Mulled Sloe Gin Hot Toddy recipe.

However, sloe gin can go with many different mixers. It goes particularly well with light, bubbly mixers with citrus notes that can contrast and elevate the rich, berry tones of the gin - think Indian tonic, prosecco and lemonade.

Then you need to think about garnishes. We think sloe gin goes best with zesty and herbaceous garnishes like slices of fresh citrus fruit and rosemary. Both help to elevate the deep, fragrant gin liqueur.

The best way to find an ideal sloe gin, mixer and garnish combination for you is to experiment. You are safe starting with any mixer classically paired with London dry gin. From there, the world is your oyster.

And if you’re still unsure how to drink your sloe gin, worry not. Give the fantastic cocktail recipes below a go and you will master sloe gin in no time.

Do you add tonic to sloe gin?

Yes, tonic is a great match for sloe gin!

The dry, delectably bitter quinine of tonic water is a fantastic partner to the sweet, fruity palate of sloe gin.

The tonic’s sprightly bubbles then help to lift the syrupy texture of the gin for a remarkably refreshing sloe gin experience.

We recommend starting with one part sloe gin to four parts tonic, with lots of ice, of course.

Then garnish with lemon or lime slices and fresh rosemary for a delicious yet simple sloe gin and tonic. You can find the perfect sloe gin and tonic recipe here!

But first, be sure to give these stunning sloe gin cocktails a go…

12 of the best sloe gin cocktails:

1. Sloe Gin Fizz

The Sloe Gin Fizz tastes as stunning as it looks

30ml sloe gin
10ml simple syrup
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Prosecco or champagne, to top up
One egg white (optional)

Add your sloe gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and egg white, if using (this will create a beautiful white foam on the top of your cocktail), to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a long glass such as a champagne flute or highball glass, then top up with champagne.

2. Sloe Gin Sour

60ml sloe gin
30ml lemon juice
15 Simple Syrup
1 egg white
3 dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Berries, citrus fruit and/or fresh mint, to garnish

Add the gin, lemon juice, syrup, bitters and egg white to a shaker and shake well. Add ice and shake well again. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

3. Sloe Gin Negroni

A Sloe Negroni is sweeter than the classic Negroni

15ml sloe gin
15ml gin (optional. Exclude for a lighter, sweeter drink)
15ml Campari
15ml sweet vermouth

Fill a glass three-quarters full with ice. Pour over your spirits. Stir gently until fully chilled. Garnish with an orange twist.

4. Rosemary & Limoncello Sloe Gin Sparkler

50ml sloe gin
25ml limoncello
Soda water, to top
2 rosemary sprigs, one to muddle and one to garnish

Muddle the limoncello and rosemary in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and sloe gin, then shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into your glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

5. Sloe Gin Royale

This festive sparkling cocktail combines gin, prosecco and cherry brandy!

25ml sloe gin
25ml cherry brandy
1 rosemary sprig
Approx. 50ml chilled prosecco (to top up)

Pour sparkling wine into a chilled flute glass. Lightly bruise a rosemary sprig before dropping it into the glass. Slowly pour in the sloe gin and cherry brandy so they sink to the bottom.

Pro Tip: For an alternative, use a highball glass and serve your drink over crushed ice.

6. Sloe Gin Genie

You can use crushed icce or cubes for this refreshing long drink

15ml simple syrup
30ml sloe gin
30ml gin
30ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
8 mint leaves
Lots of ice or crushed ice, if you prefer)

Muddle mint leaves in a highball glass. Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Mix well.
Add crushed ice and mix again. Top with more crushed ice and sloe gin.

7. Cranberry & Sloe Gin Martini

This festive cranberry & sloe gin martini will keep your spirits up as the nights draw in

50ml gin
15ml sloe gin
15ml lemon or lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 teaspoon cranberry jelly
1 rosemary sprig, to garnish

Add all of the ingredients to an ice-filled shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled glass.
Garnish with a twist of lemon peel and a few cranberries to serve. Enjoy!

8. Mulled Sloe Gin

Warmed sloe gin and apple juice infused with festive spices - this rich, sweet and utterly delicious winter drink is the new mulled wine! Get the full recipe here. >>

9. Sloe Gin & Elderflower Collins

Sloe gin and elderflower make for a refreshing, lightly floral and sweet drink

We’ve take a classic Sloe Gin Collins and given it a delicious added layer of flavour, with the addition of a slightly sweet, lightly floral elderflower mixer in place of the usual soda water. The perfect taste of summer in a glass, all year round! Get the recipe here >>

10. Sloe Gin Hot Chocolate

Add a dash of sloe gin to this classic hot chocolate recipe for the ultimate boozy winter drink

If you thought that traditional hot chocolate was as good a warm winter recipe as you can get, think again: this subtly spiced version, spiked with sweet, richly fruity sloe gin, is absolutely incredible. Gin-credible. Get the recipe here! >>

11. Mulled Sloe Gin Hot Toddy

If you haven’t tried this tasty tipple yet, just picture fruity red wine and rich sloe berries warmed with festive spices like cinnamon, star anise and ginger. Get the recipe here >>

12. Blood Orange and Sloe G&T

Blood oranges are in season in winter in the UK, so it’s the perfect time for this warming cocktail

In this easy cocktail recipe, the sweetness of sloe gin pairs beautifully with the sharp citrus juice, and that rich sloe flavour takes on an even deeper, richer note from the addition of a splash of Maraschino cherry liqueur. Get the full recipe here! >>

Can you make sloe gin at home?

It’s easy to make sloe gin at home - why not try our quick and easy recipe? Alternatively, pick up a bottle of (professionally made!) beautiful sloe gin from our online shop to use in any of these fabulous cocktail recipes!

Here are ten of our favourite, easy-to-make sloe gin cocktails you can try at home. Chin chin!

Does sloe gin go bad?

Sloe gin should stay drinkable for at least a year after the bottle is opened, provided that it is kept in an air-tight container, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. This is because of its high alcohol content.

However, the quality of sloe gin can degrade over time. You may notice the liquid becoming cloudy, with sediment forming in the bottom of the container, the longer it is left. This may happen faster with homemade sloe gins.

If you are ever unsure, always check the “use by” date on the bottle before drinking your gin.

With sloe gin cocktails like the ones above to try, it is rare that a bottle of sloe gin will last longer than a month, never mind a year, here at Craft Gin Club HQ.