Sipsmith Sloe Gin 750ML

Sipsmith Sloe Gin 750ML is a 29% ABV sloe gin made by steeping wild-harvested sloe berries in Sipsmith's London Dry Gin for several months. Rated "Highly Recommended" by The Gin is In — which called it "one of, if not in absolute terms, the best sloe gin I've ever had" — this expression stands apart from most commercial sloe gins by using a genuine craft London Dry as its base rather than neutral grain spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 29% (58 Proof)  |  Origin: London, England  |  Sloe Berry Gin Liqueur  |  Distillery: Sipsmith Distillery

Production & Heritage

Sipsmith Distillery, founded in 2009, became the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in nearly 200 years, reviving small-batch gin distillation in the city. For their Sloe Gin, the distillery team and local volunteers hand-pick wild sloe berries during annual autumn "sloe-picking parties," then steep those berries in Sipsmith London Dry Gin for three to four months. This approach — using a fully finished London Dry Gin as the base rather than a cheaper neutral spirit — yields a sloe gin with notably more botanical complexity and a higher ABV than many competitors in the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Gorgeous redcurrant and ripe winter fruits greet the nose first, followed by a subtle stone-fruit almond undertone. There is a gentle sweetness in the bouquet that hints at the berry-forward character to come.

Taste: The palate opens with rich cassis and soft cherry, quickly expanding into a wave of jammy fruitiness. Mid-palate, dense raspberry and a tart, almost candy-like brightness keep the sweetness honest. A velvety mouthfeel carries everything together, with the juniper and citrus backbone of the base London Dry Gin still perceptible beneath the fruit.

Finish: Medium in length with a pleasantly tart fade and lingering berry sweetness. The finish stays balanced, never cloying, with a faint almond dryness rounding out the final impression.

How to Drink Sipsmith Sloe Gin

Sipping neat or slightly chilled is the most rewarding way to experience the depth of the sloe berry maceration and the complexity of the London Dry base. A single large ice cube opens the fruit notes gently without diluting the already moderate 29% ABV too quickly.

• Sloe Gin Fizz — The cassis and cherry notes pair beautifully with lemon juice and soda water, creating a refreshing long drink with real depth.
• Sloe Royale — A measure of Sipsmith Sloe Gin topped with dry Champagne or sparkling wine makes an elegant aperitif where the tart berry character lifts the bubbles.
• Sloe Negroni — Substituting sloe gin for standard gin in a Negroni adds a fruity, bittersweet dimension that complements Campari and sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Holiday entertaining and cold-weather gatherings where a rich, berry-forward spirit sets the seasonal tone
• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns a standard London Dry but hasn't explored sloe gin
• Brunch cocktail menus — the lower ABV and fruit-forward profile mix easily into spritzes and fizzes
• After-dinner sipping as a lighter alternative to port or dessert wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sipsmith Sloe Gin taste like? It leads with rich cassis, cherry, and redcurrant fruit layered over a velvety, moderately sweet palate, balanced by a tart finish and the juniper-citrus backbone of the base London Dry Gin.

How does Sipsmith Sloe Gin compare to Plymouth Sloe Gin? Both are frequently ranked among the most sippable sloe gins available, but Sipsmith uses its own copper-pot-distilled London Dry Gin as the base, producing a slightly more botanically complex profile, while Plymouth Sloe Gin leans on the softer, earthier character of Plymouth-style gin. Sipsmith also bottled at 29% ABV compared to Plymouth Sloe Gin's 26% ABV.

Is Sipsmith Sloe Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — its velvety mouthfeel, balanced sweetness, and tart berry finish make it one of the more rewarding sloe gins to drink on its own, especially lightly chilled.

Where is Sipsmith Sloe Gin made? It is produced at Sipsmith Distillery in London, England, where sloe berries hand-picked from the wild are steeped in the distillery's London Dry Gin for three to four months.

What foods pair well with Sipsmith Sloe Gin? Dark chocolate truffles complement its cassis and cherry notes; aged cheddar or Stilton cheese contrasts the fruit sweetness; duck or game pâté echoes the rich, autumnal character; almond tart mirrors the stone-fruit undertone on the nose; and fresh berries with clotted cream create a classic British pairing.

What sizes does Sipsmith Sloe Gin come in? The standard widely available format is 750ml, though Sipsmith occasionally releases smaller 50ml miniatures and 375ml half-bottles depending on market.

Is Sipsmith Sloe Gin worth the price? It positions as a premium sloe gin, justified by the use of a genuine London Dry Gin base rather than neutral grain spirit, hand-harvested wild sloe berries, and a lengthy maceration period — factors that distinguish it clearly from budget sloe gins in the category.

Why Sipsmith Sloe Gin?

The defining differentiator here is the base spirit. Where most commercial sloe gins macerate berries in inexpensive neutral grain alcohol, Sipsmith commits its copper-pot-distilled London Dry Gin to the process, giving the finished product a botanical backbone that cheaper alternatives lack. The wild sloe berries are hand-picked by the distillery team rather than commercially sourced, and the three-to-four-month steeping window extracts depth without bitterness. The Gin is In's "Highly Recommended" rating and its direct comparison alongside Plymouth as one of the most sippable sloe gins on the market confirm that the extra care translates into the glass.