Ingredienser
- 1 oz Sloe Gin
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- 1 dash of Orange Bitters
- Lemon zest - for garnish
Equipment
- Mixing Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Coupe Glass
Instruktioner
- Prep Glass: Chill your coupe glass with some ice.
- Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters and 1 dash of Orange Bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Vermouths: Measure and pour 1 oz dry vermouth and 1 oz sweet vermouth into the mixing glass.
- Add Sloe Gin: Pour 1 oz Sloe Gin into the mix.
- Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well chilled.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Twist a strip of lemon zest over the drink, then use one as garnish.
Anteckning
Substitutes:
- Sloe Gin: If you don't have Sloe Gin, try using regular gin with a splash of berry liqueur to mimic the fruity notes. I've also used plum wine for a different twist.
- Dry Vermouth: In place of dry vermouth, I sometimes use white wine with a dash of herbal bitters to maintain complexity.
- Sweet Vermouth: Red wine with a touch of simple syrup can work if you're out of sweet vermouth.
Making a Pitcher of Blackthorn:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Sloe Gin, 8 oz each of Dry and Sweet Vermouth, and adjust bitters accordingly.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters. Stir well with ice.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish with lemon zest, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Sloe Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute with berry syrup to capture the essence of Sloe Gin.
- Vermouth Substitutes: Opt for grape juice with herbal tea infusions for both vermouths.
- Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using these substitutes for a non-alcoholic version.
What is a Blackthorn?
A Blackthorn is a classic cocktail made of Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters. It’s easy to make because it requires only basic mixing skills and standard bar tools. The drink’s unique flavor comes from the combination of sweet and dry vermouths with the fruity notes of Sloe Gin.

What is a Blackthorn made of – The ingredients
You need these ingredients for a Blackthorn recipe:
- Sloe Gin: Delivers a fruity and slightly sweet flavor with berry undertones.
- Dry Vermouth: Introduces herbal notes and a touch of bitterness for balance.
- Sweet Vermouth: Adds sweetness and depth with its rich, aromatic qualities.
- Angostura Bitters: Infuses the cocktail with spicy and aromatic complexity.
- Orange Bitters: Provides a subtle citrus note to enhance the overall flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Used as a garnish to impart a fresh, citrus aroma.






