15 Common Sour Cocktails

Looking to add some zest to your cocktail repertoire? These 15 common sour cocktails are packed with bold, tangy flavors that awaken your taste buds. Let’s explore the best recipes for this timeless category of drinks!

Whiskey Sour

A Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail with a refreshing, tangy taste. Simple yet elegant, it balances whiskey with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Optional: egg white, Angostura bitters, maraschino cherry, orange slice

Instructions

1. Pour the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
2. If using, add the egg white.
3. Shake without ice for 30 seconds.
4. Add ice and shake for another 20 seconds until chilled.
5. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
6. For garnish, use a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.
7. Optionally, add 3-4 drops of Angostura bitters on top for extra flavor.

The combination of whiskey’s smoothness, tangy lemon, and just enough sweetness makes it a favorite.

Adding the egg white gives it a frothy texture, making the drink even more luxurious. The Angostura bitters add a hint of complexity.

This versatile cocktail can be tailored to your liking.

Adjust the sweetness by tweaking the simple syrup. For a creamier texture, don’t skip the egg white.

Whether you enjoy it on the rocks or straight up, the Whiskey Sour remains a timeless choice for any occasion.

Margarita

The Margarita is a beloved sour cocktail. It is known for its tangy and refreshing taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz 100% agave tequila
• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge and dipping it in salt.
2. Combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into the rimmed glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

Enjoy your Margarita responsibly!

Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a classic sour cocktail. It’s simple and refreshing. You only need a few ingredients to make one.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces light or white rum
• 1 ounce lime juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour in the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake for 20-30 seconds until the shaker is cold.
4. Strain the cocktail into a coupe or cocktail glass.

A Daiquiri balances sweet and sour flavors. Lime juice provides the tartness. Simple syrup balances it with sweetness.

Use high-quality rum. It makes a big difference. Fresh lime juice is also important.

Some variations use demerara sugar syrup. It adds depth to the flavor. Experiment with different rums and syrups.

A Daiquiri doesn’t need a blender. It’s meant to be simple. The key is fresh ingredients and proper shaking.

Enjoy your Daiquiri with a twist or on its own. It’s versatile and pairs well with many foods.

Pisco Sour

The Pisco Sour is an iconic cocktail from Peru and Chile. It offers a balance of tart, sweet, and frothy textures. This drink is ideal for any occasion and easy to make.

To prepare a traditional Pisco Sour, you’ll need:

• 2 oz Pisco brandy
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Several dashes of Angostura bitters

Steps:

1. Combine Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker.
2. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds without ice.
3. Add ice and shake again for 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
5. Add a few dashes of bitters on top.

The result is a refreshing, slightly tangy drink. The bitters add aromatic complexity. The egg white creates a smooth, foamy top. This is characteristic of a well-made Pisco Sour.

Amaretto Sour

An Amaretto Sour is a classic and delightful sour cocktail. It’s sweet, tangy, and has a rich almond flavor.

Ingredients

• Amaretto: 1 1/2 oz
• Bourbon (optional): 1/2 oz
• Fresh lemon juice: 3/4 oz
• Simple syrup: 1/2 oz
• Egg white (optional): 1 egg white
• Angostura bitters: 1 dash
• Garnish: Lemon twist and brandied cherry

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients: Add amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker without ice.
2. Dry shake: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to create a frothy texture.
3. Add ice: Incorporate ice and shake again until the mixture is well-chilled.
4. Strain: Pour the drink into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Garnish: Add a lemon twist and a brandied cherry for an elegant touch.

This cocktail is both refreshing and rich. The amaretto provides a unique almond flavor. The lemon juice adds a tangy balance. The simple syrup sweetens the mix. Optionally, bourbon can give it depth, and the egg white offers a creamy texture.

Tips

• Always use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of simple syrup.
• For a vegan option, omit the egg white or use aquafaba as a substitute.

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic sour cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Club soda
• Lemon slice (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice.
2. Pour in the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Stir thoroughly.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Garnish with a lemon slice.

The Tom Collins dates back to the 19th century. It appeared in Harry Johnson’s 1882 book, New and Improved Bartender’s Manual. The drink has remained popular in bars for over a century.

You can modify a Tom Collins to suit your taste.

Some variations include different spirits such as vodka or whiskey. Add a twist by using flavored syrups.

Serve the Tom Collins with plenty of ice. It is a perfect refreshing cocktail for hot days.

Gin Sour

The Gin Sour is a classic cocktail. It combines gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Optional: 1 egg white

Instructions:

Combine Ingredients:

• Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker.
• If using, add the egg white.

Dry Shake (optional):

• Shake vigorously without ice. This helps create foam from the egg white.

Shake with Ice:

• Add ice to the shaker.
• Shake again until well-chilled.

Strain and Serve:

• Strain the mixture into a coupe glass.
• Garnish with a lemon twist or a few drops of bitters swirled in the foam if desired.

You can also serve the Gin Sour over ice if preferred.

This cocktail has a refreshing and sophisticated flavor. It’s a versatile drink fit for many occasions.

New York Sour

The New York Sour is a classic cocktail that updates the traditional Whiskey Sour with a unique twist.

This drink combines whiskey with lemon and simple syrup. Its distinguishing feature is a float of red wine, which adds complexity and a striking visual element.

To make a New York Sour, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 ounces whiskey (rye or bourbon)
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 egg white (optional)
• 1/2 ounce dry red wine

Here are the steps to prepare it:

1. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker two-thirds full with ice.
3. Shake hard for 15-20 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and frothy.
4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Slowly pour the red wine over the back of a spoon so it floats on top.

This combination of flavors creates a balanced and refreshing drink.

The wine not only enhances the taste but also adds a beautiful layer that sits atop the cocktail.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a timeless sour cocktail. It combines the rich warmth of cognac with the bright acidity of lemon juice. Triple sec or Cointreau adds a touch of sweetness and complexity.

To make a Sidecar, you’ll need:

• 1.5 oz. Cognac or Brandy (VSOP or older)
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 0.75 oz. Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

Prepare the Glass:

• Cut a lemon wedge.
• Rub it around the rim of a coupe or martini glass.
• Dip the rim in superfine sugar.

Mix the Ingredients:

• Add the cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice to a shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice.

Shake:

• Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds or until well-chilled.

Strain:

• Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass.

Garnish:

• Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange peel.

Vodka Sour

The Vodka Sour is a classic cocktail, blending vodka with lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. This mix creates a frothy, tangy, and slightly sweet drink.

Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water)
• 1 egg white (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds without ice.
3. Add ice cubes and shake again for 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry.

Using egg white adds a creamy texture and foam. Skip it if preferred. Your Vodka Sour is now ready to enjoy.

Rum Sour

A Rum Sour is a delightful cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. It combines rum, citrus juice, and a sweetener, creating a refreshing drink.

Ingredients

• 2 oz aged Caribbean rum
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white (optional for froth)

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: Add the rum, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker without ice.
2. Dry Shake: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
3. Add Ice: Add ice to the shaker.
4. Shake Again: Shake again for 30 seconds until the mixture is cold.
5. Strain: Strain into a chilled glass.

The Rum Sour offers a harmonious blend of rum’s warmth and lemon’s acidity. The egg white adds a velvety texture.

Perfect for any occasion, this cocktail is both simple to make and delightful to enjoy.

Tequila Sour

The Tequila Sour offers a refreshing twist on the classic sour cocktail. It’s a balanced blend of tequila, citrus, sweetener, egg white, and bitters.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Lemon juice
• 1 oz Lime juice
• 3/4 oz Simple syrup
• 1 Dash bitters
• 1 Egg white

Instructions:

1. Dry Shaking: Combine tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and egg white in a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
2. Ice Shaking: Add ice to the shaker and shake again for another 30 seconds.
3. Straining: Strain the mixture into a glass.
4. Garnishing: Garnish with a lime wedge and a cocktail cherry. Optional: add a mint sprig or orange slice for an extra touch.

This drink is perfect for those who enjoy citrusy and slightly sweet flavors. The egg white adds a smooth, frothy texture that elevates the drink’s appeal.

Give it a try at your next gathering and impress your guests!

Clover Club

The Clover Club is a classic sour cocktail that dates back to the pre-Prohibition era. It combines gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white for a creamy texture.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 0.5 oz raspberry syrup
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Ice cubes
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously without ice for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
3. Add ice cubes to the shaker.
4. Shake again until well-chilled, for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Tips

• Use fresh raspberries for the raspberry syrup for best flavor.
• Double strain the cocktail to ensure a smooth texture.
• Serve immediately for best experience.

Brandy Sour

The Brandy Sour offers a delightful twist on the classic sour cocktail.

To create a Brandy Sour, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces brandy
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• Ice cubes
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Strain the mixture into an ice-filled serving glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

The Brandy Sour typically avoids using egg whites, unlike some other sour cocktails. This makes it simpler to prepare.

Feel free to adjust the ratios of the lemon juice and sugar to suit your taste preference.

In some variations, you might see instructions for using the Dry Shake method, which involves shaking the ingredients first without ice and then with ice. This technique can enhance the texture of the drink.

Lemon Drop

The Lemon Drop is a popular sour cocktail. It’s both tangy and sweet, making it refreshing and easy to drink. This cocktail is vodka-based and often served in a sugar-rimmed glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz triple sec (or Cointreau)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Sugar (for rimming the glass)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Rub half a lemon wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip the rim into a plate of granulated sugar.
2. Mix the Cocktail:
   • Pour the vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
   • Shake well for about 30 seconds until the mixture is cold.
3. Serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.

Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice for the best taste.
• Shake the cocktail well to ensure it’s thoroughly chilled.
• Adjust the amount of simple syrup to suit your taste preference.

The Lemon Drop is a versatile drink that can be adapted by adding flavored syrups or using different types of citrus.

Enjoy a crisp, refreshing sip every time.