Cocktails

Blackthorn

Blackthorn is an alcoholic cocktail built on Sloe Gin. It leans herbal, citrus and botanical. Stirred and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 21.6% ABV and roughly 185 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic21.6% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

185 kcalCalories

21.6%ABV

16.3gSugar

21.9gCarbs

0.9Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1 ozSweet VermouthFortified Wine
1 1/2 ozSloe ginBase Spirit
1 twist ofLemon peelGarnish

How to Make It

Stir sloe gin and vermouth with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.Stirred
Add the twist of lemon peel and serve.Serve

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Herbal Citrus Botanical

Supporting notes

Juniper Red Fruit Spice Sweet

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its botanical and herbal notes.
Happy HourSuggested from pairing with charcuterie and olives.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Sweet Vermouth1 oz

Rosso VermouthGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust only for the specific bottle’s sweetness and bitterness.
What changes: Rosso vermouth is a sweet red vermouth and is usually a close replacement for a generic sweet vermouth.

Dry VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: You may need a small sweetener adjustment if the drink loses balance.
What changes: Dry vermouth is not a neutral substitute for sweet vermouth; it makes the drink much drier.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Peel1 twist of

Lemon TwistGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar-sized twist.
What changes: A lemon twist is usually a close substitute for lemon peel.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Blackthorn?: The Blackthorn is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 21.6%. A standard serving contains approximately 185 calories.
What does a Blackthorn taste like?: Blackthorn has a flavour profile featuring Herbal, Citrus, Botanical, Juniper. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Blackthorn?: Blackthorn pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Blackthorn?: The Blackthorn has an ABV of approximately 21.6%. That's approximately 0.90 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 185 kcal, 16.3g sugar, 21.9g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Blackthorn typically served?: Blackthorn is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Blackthorn?: If you enjoy Blackthorn, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Blackthorn at home?: Yes. The Blackthorn uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Blackthorn with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.