Union Jack
/
logo

Make Me a Cocktail

Union Jack
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.55 / 5
The Union Jack cocktail is a vibrant mix that celebrates the richness of gin in two distinct forms. At its core is the classic juniper flavor of gin, complemented by the sweet, plummy depth of sloe gin—a red liqueur made from gin and sloe drupes. The addition of a touch of grenadine syrup contributes a slight fruitiness and lends the drink its namesake colors, reminiscent of the hues found in the British flag. Served in a stylish cocktail glass, the Union Jack offers a bold, British-inspired experience that combines the botanical complexity of gin with the tart sweetness of its sloe cousin, resulting in a layered and visually appealing beverage.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gin
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
180 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37.89% | 3.6 units *

Tags

Gin ingredient icon
Gin cocktails

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Gin cocktail ingredient icon for the Union Jack cocktail
Gin
Grenadine cocktail ingredient icon for the Union Jack cocktail
Grenadine
Sloe Gin cocktail ingredient icon for the Union Jack cocktail
Sloe Gin
Serves:
-
+

Method
How to make a Union Jack

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add a shot of gin, a dash of grenadine and two shots of sloe gin to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake well, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Union Jack with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Dash  ·  Shake  ·  Strain  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Ingredient specifics icon

What is sloe gin and how does it differ from regular gin in the Union Jack cocktail?

Sloe gin is a red liqueur made with gin and sloe (blackthorn) berries, which are small fruits related to the plum. It has a sweet flavor profile compared to regular gin, which is typically more herbal. In the Union Jack cocktail, sloe gin adds a fruity sweetness and deeper color, contrasting with the sharper, botanical flavors of traditional gin.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of the Union Jack compare to other classic cocktails?

With an alcohol content of 37.89%, the Union Jack has a relatively high alcohol concentration compared to many classic cocktails, which often fall in the range of 15% to 30% alcohol by volume (ABV). This makes it a stronger choice, akin to neat spirits or other high-proof cocktails.

Garnishing tips icon

What are some suitable garnishing tips for the Union Jack cocktail to enhance its presentation?

Given the Union Jack’s rich red hue from sloe gin and grenadine, a lemon twist or a cherry can add a bright color contrast and aromatic appeal. Additionally, a sprig of mint could provide a fresh, green accent and a pleasant scent, complementing the fruity and herbal flavors.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the best way to serve a Union Jack to preserve its flavors and appearance?

The Union Jack should be served in a chilled cocktail glass to maintain its cold temperature and crisp taste. Since it's shaken, not stirred, this process aerates the mixture, resulting in a pleasing texture. Serve immediately after shaking with ice, straining into the glass to exclude ice shards and ensure a smooth serve.

Ingredient substitutions icon

Can I substitute anything for sloe gin if I can't find it for making a Union Jack cocktail?

If sloe gin is unavailable, a good substitution can be a berry-flavored liqueur or even a blackberry brandy, though these might be sweeter or less tart than sloe gin. Adjust the quantity of grenadine accordingly to prevent the cocktail from becoming too sweet.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now for free Find out more about premium

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating

You might also like

Alexander

Classic

First seen in Hugo Ensslins 1915 book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks", this classic cocktail can now be seen the world...

Vesper

Classic

The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale. "A dry...

Bee's Knees

The Bee's Knees is a fun and very easy cocktail from the Prohibition era. Some stories claim that the drink...

Aunt Roberta

Known colloquially as 'The Worlds Deadliest Cocktail', The Aunt Roberta cocktail is a potent concoction that blends the warming notes...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image