The Alabama Slammer has been around since the 70s. There are a few minor variations on it. The most common version is made with Southern Comfort with amaretto, sloe gin and orange juice. 

Just thinking about it could make your mouth water, right?

Origins of the Alabama or “Southern Slammer”

The exact origin of this refreshing cocktail is unknown. However, it is believed that it was first created in the 1970s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, possibly at the University of Alabama.

The drink gained popularity throughout the South and eventually became a staple in bars across the country. It was also known as a Southern Slammer.

The Alabama Slammer is the perfect fruity cocktail for summer time and Alabama Crimson Tide football games. You can also serve it as a shot. It’s easiest to make up a pitcher and just pour it into shot glasses.

Alabama Slammer Ingredients & Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make this drink:

• Southern Comfort: This is a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur produced in the United States. It was first created in New Orleans and is known for its sweet and unique taste.
• Amaretto: Originating from Italy, Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavored liqueur. It’s traditionally made using bitter almonds, but can also be created with apricot pits or a mixture of both.
• Sloe Gin: This is a British red liqueur made from the sloe berry, a relative of the plum. The berries are steeped in gin with added sugar to extract their flavor.
• Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice really is ideal for this drink because it’ll have more tangy citrus flavor to contrast with the sweetness from the other ingredients.
• Garnish with an orange slice or twist and maraschino cherries.

As far as equipment goes, all you need is a cocktail shaker and a highball glass.

How to Make an Alabama Slammer Cocktail

This isn’t a hard cocktail to make. Shake it with ice and then strain it into a collins or highball glass containing fresh ice cubes. 

The most complicated step in this recipe is fresh squeezing the orange juice. While not strictly necessary, fresh orange juice has a nice tang compared to bottled and it will balance out the sweet liqueurs nicely.

The Taste of This Refreshing Cocktail

This is a cocktail is pretty sweet, and yet plenty strong on the alcohol. It has a nice-looking deep orange color to go with its fruity taste.

In this drink recipe, the cherry notes from the amaretto and sloe gin come through strong, but so does the citrus. The combination almost dominates the Southern Comfort.

But this is one of those drink recipes where you can’t easily identify different notes. It all blends wonderfully into one sweet, fruity flavor. This cocktail has a good balance of sweetness and tartness, and it’s never boring.

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort is a whiskey-based liqueur. It was originally developed in New Orleans. It has a complex flavor of apricot or peach with spice. You also get some oak notes from the whiskey.

You can buy it different versions of it now, but for the Alabama Slammer, you should stick to the original version. That’s the one with the highest proof, comparable to a liquor.

That’s because there’s no straight up liquor like vodka in this drink. Most of your alcohol content will come from the Southern Comfort. With a lower proof version, this drink becomes a bunch of sweet liqueurs with fruit juice.

It’s worth noting that some of the early versions of this recipe didn’t include Southern Comfort . But it seems essential now for both flavor and that southern vibe.

About Sloe Gin

At this point, we need to talk about sloe gin. Most of the bottles you find of sloe gin are sickeningly sweet. They taste more like a berry syrup for pancakes than anything to do with gin. So you may have the impression that sloe gin is pretty disgusting.

But not all bottles are created equal. A higher quality one has tartness, depth and a higher proof. If you can find Plymouth Sloe Gin, that’s a good bottle for making cocktails.

It’s also a little higher proof than some of the super sweet ones, and that’s good because this cocktail is not meant to be weak.

If you can’t find that exact brand, look for a sloe gin that’s a higher proof than other brands. Something in the 40-50 proof range. Sloe gin is never going to be much higher proof than that.

Sloe gin and Southern Comfort are a sweet and mellow combination. Combined with the orange juice‘s tartness, it keeps the Alabama Slammer from being overly sweet.

Enjoying this Fruity Summer Cocktail

This is the perfect fruity summer cocktail for sipping by the pool. You should also try serving at a barbecue. It’s a great drink for hot afternoons. It’s also perfect for unwinding at the end of a long work week.

Some restaurants mix them up by the pitcher. Now that’s also something you can also do at home for a get-together with a big batch recipe. That way, guests can serve themselves refills so you don’t have to tend bar the whole time.

And it’s a drink that most people enjoy. That’s what makes it a classic. If you’re serving it at a party, most everyone will love you for it. Just have some beer or wine on hand for anyone who doesn’t like it.

Can I Make It In Big Batches At Home?

Absolutely! This cocktail is perfect for big batches. Just mix it up in a pitcher or pitchers, or a beverage dispenser, and  keep it in the fridge. Pour as needed, top as needed – you can even invite guests to serve themselves.

The Hawaiian Redneck is all about the pineapple juice. But it also has rum and Southern Comfort. That makes for a tasty drink that feels tropical, but with a twist.

And there’s always the Scarlett O’Hara Cocktail, a drink made with Southern Comfort, cranberry juice and lime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Alabama Slammer?

An Alabama Slammer is a fruity and sweet cocktail that originated in the Southern United States. It’s a blend of Southern Comfort, Amaretto, Sloe Gin, and Orange Juice, giving it a unique and enjoyable flavor.

2. Can I make an Alabama Slammer without Sloe Gin?

Yes, you can substitute Sloe Gin with cranberry juice or red berry-flavored vodka to achieve a similar taste.

3. Can I make an Alabama Slammer without alcohol?

Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version by replacing Southern Comfort with peach nectar, Amaretto with almond extract, and Sloe Gin with pomegranate or cherry juice.

4. Is the Alabama Slammer a strong cocktail?

The Alabama Slammer is considered a medium-strength cocktail due to the combination of three different spirits. However, the sweet and fruity flavors help balance the alcohol.

5. What type of glass should I use for an Alabama Slammer?

Typically, an Alabama Slammer is served in a highball glass, but it can also be served in a Collins glass or a hurricane glass.

6. Can I prepare an Alabama Slammer in advance?

Yes, you can mix all the ingredients and store them in the refrigerator. However, for the best taste, it is recommended to shake it with ice and strain it into your glass just before serving.

7. What food pairs well with an Alabama Slammer?

The sweet and fruity flavors of an Alabama Slammer pair well with Southern American dishes like fried chicken, barbecue ribs, or Cajun shrimp. It also pairs nicely with light desserts such as fruit tarts or cheesecake.

8. Can it be served as a shot?

Yes, it can. Just reduce the amount of each ingredient or make one drink to serve as several shots.