What’s in an Alabama Slammer? Seriously.

There’s something about the Alabama Slammer. When I was bartending, I loved making them, and as an imbiber, I love drinking them.

Nearly everyone I know enjoys the drink, but almost no one, not even the many bartenders I know, is quite sure exactly what is in them. Not the first five times they’re asked anyway. It’s my belief, actually, that the Alabama Slammer is the reason for the oodles and oodles of bar books decorating tavern backbars all over the world.

But even the bar books and experts aren’t sure. Stephen Kittredge Cunningham’s The Bartender’s Black Book 9th Edition, lists six separate recipes for the drink. The Ultimate Bar Book by Mittie Helmich has two. Several websites list three to five recipes each, with an accompanying video that shows a completely different version.

Despite the bevy of variations, one recipe shows up no matter where you look. This is the recipe that I’m the most familiar with, and that I enjoy drinking and making the most. So here it is.

The Alabama Slammer

• 1 oz Southern Comfort
• 1 oz Amaretto
• 1/2 oz sloe gin
• Orange Juice

Combine the Southern Comfort, amaretto and sloe gin in a cocktail glass over ice. Fill with orange juice. Garnish with an orange or cherry. Serve. Also good as a shot.