Culture & Lifestyle • Beverage

Sloe gin

Sloe gin is a British red liqueur made by infusing gin with sloes, the fruit of the blackthorn (*Prunus spinosa*).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sloe gin is a British red liqueur made by infusing gin with sloes, the fruit of the blackthorn (*Prunus spinosa*). It is sweet, fruity, and usually classified as a gin-based liqueur rather than a true gin. In the European Union, the term requires at least 25% alcohol by volume.

Definition

Sloe gin is a British alcoholic beverage made from gin flavoured with sloes. Reference works describe it as a sweet liqueur or cordial rather than a standard gin. It is typically reddish in colour and has a sweet, fruity taste.

Production and ingredients

The drink is produced by macerating sloe berries in gin, usually with sugar, then filtering and bottling the infusion. The fruit contributes colour, sweetness, and a tart, almond-like flavour profile. Sloes are the drupe fruit of the blackthorn tree (*Prunus spinosa*).

Regulation

Sloe gin typically ranges from about 15% to 30% ABV, while European Union regulations require at least 25% ABV for use of the name. Some sources also note that the legal name may be supplemented by the term liqueur.

Use and serving

Sloe gin is commonly drunk on its own or used in cocktails. It has also been described as a traditional British seasonal drink, especially around the winter holidays. In Canada, sloe gin appears in cocktail culture and imported spirits markets, where it is usually treated as a specialty liqueur rather than a mainstream spirit.

Key facts

Made by steeping sloes in gin with sugar.
Sloes are the drupe fruit of the blackthorn tree.
The drink is reddish, sweet, and classified as a liqueur rather than a true gin.
European Union regulations require a minimum of 25% ABV for the name.
It is associated with British drink culture and seasonal consumption.

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Canadian context

Sloe gin appears in cocktail culture and imported spirits markets in Canada, where it is usually treated as a specialty liqueur rather than a mainstream spirit.

Frequently asked questions

What is sloe gin?

A sweet British liqueur made by infusing gin with sloes, the fruit of the blackthorn.

Is sloe gin a true gin?

No. It is generally classified as a gin-based liqueur rather than a true gin.

What are sloes?

Sloes are the small, sour drupe fruits of the blackthorn tree (*Prunus spinosa*).

What is the alcohol content of sloe gin?

It is commonly around 15% to 30% ABV, with at least 25% ABV required in EU regulations for that name.

What does sloe gin taste like?

It is usually sweet, fruity, and tart, with a reddish colour and a flavour often described as plum-like or almond-like.

References

Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/sloe-gin
Supports: Describes sloe gin as a sweet liqueur flavoured with sloe berries and not a true gin.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloe_gin
Supports: Provides the basic description, ingredient composition, and ABV range.
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloe%20gin
Supports: Defines sloe gin as a sweet reddish liqueur flavoured chiefly with sloes.
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ja/dictionary/english/sloe-gin
Supports: Defines sloe gin as an alcoholic drink made from gin with sloes.
Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails — https://www.spiritsanddistilling.com/dictionary/acref-9780199311132-e-1187
Supports: Describes it as a British infusion of blackthorn berries in gin sweetened with sugar and notes traditional holiday consumption.