Embrace your Southern charm with this boozy, fruity Alabama Slammer made with Southern Comfort, amaretto, and sloe gin.
While there are timeless cocktails like the Gin Martini and the Old Fashioned, there is another classic collection of drinks from the 1970s and 80s that define OG cocktails. These drinks have a story, they can be found on a paper menu/placemat at an American diner, and likely appeared in the 1988 movie Cocktail. One of the most popular drinks in this collection is the Alabama Slammer.
The Alabama Slammer started as a shot that students slammed back at the University of Alabama, usually while tailgating at a Crimson Tide game or celebrating a win. Since its creation in the 1970s, the shot has evolved into a full-sized cocktail and is enjoyed well beyond the boundaries of Alabama. The fruity cocktail then appeared in the Playboy and Mr. Boston’s Bartender’s Guides and solidified its place in history. Although I can count on one hand the number of times I made an Alabama Slammer while bartending in New York, I can confirm that bartenders everywhere are expected to know how to make it.
Next to a Blue Hawaii and Tequila Sunrise, the Alabama Slammer is the ultimate, classic, fruity cocktail. The best description I ever heard was comparing it to an adult fruit punch. While the Alabama Slammer is fruity and zesty from the orange juice and sloe gin, it has a unique sweet, nutty flavor from the amaretto and Southern Comfort. On top of being uniquely delicious, it is pretty and refreshing. The Alabama Slammer is a great cocktail to offer on a Sunday Funday while watching football or if you want to explore vintage cocktails.
Variations of the Alabama Slammer
While most bars and restaurants will likely have the ingredients to make the classic Alabama Slammer, I doubt you keep sloe gin stocked at your home bar. First off, no, sloe gin is not really gin, like the liquor, which is a common misconception for obvious reasons. It is more of a berry liqueur made from sloe berries. An easy substitute for this in the Alabama Slammer is grenadine.
Another common variation is swapping out orange juice for pineapple juice to make the Alabama Slammer even sweeter and less tart. I have also seen this drink made with vodka. You can either replace the Southern Comfort with vodka or add vodka to the mix. However, this is a drink that can be dangerous because it does taste like fruit punch. As always, drink responsibly.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in an Alabama Slammer?
With the variations aside, the Alabama Slammer recipe has remained consistent for over 50 years. The main ingredient is Southern Comfort, which is a fruity whiskey liqueur. While there have been brands that try to replicate the flavor, this is one where I would not stray from the original. For the amaretto and sloe gin, you can go for whatever is considered “well” aka inexpensive liquor. They are both potent enough that you get what you need from one ounce, so don’t break the bank.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Southern Comfort whiskey
- 1 ounce amaretto liqueur
- 1 ounce sloe gin
- 2 ounces orange juice
- Orange slice for garnish
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes and pour Southern Comfort, amaretto, sloe gin, and orange juice into the shaker.
- Shake well until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
What Glassware And Garnish To Use?
Serve your Alabama Slammer in a highball glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.
How Do I Make This Cocktail Into Shots?
You can simply pour your Alabama Slammer from the shaker into shot glasses instead of making one individual cocktail. If you want it a bit stronger, use one ounce of orange juice instead of two for shots.
Similar Drinks To The Alabama Slammer
If this cool and fruity concoction has got you feeling nostalgic for more 1970s cocktails, then your luck is in, as Twist and Toast has plenty of other retro recipes to satisfy that thirst.
- Harvey Wallbanger – Invented in 1969, this vodka, orange and Galliano mixture proved pretty popular in the decade of flairs, lava lamps and shag carpets.
- Long Island Iced Tea – A legendary cocktail, its heady mix of ingredients certainly packs a punch.
- Brass Monkey – Keep the party going with this rum and vodka-based 70s creation.
- Swamp Water – Don’t let the name put you off. This green and murky mix will have you coming back for more.
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