15 Essential Sour Cocktails that Will Surprise Your Taste Buds

Sour cocktails are classics, and for good reasons. The combination of sweetness and tartness creates a delightful contrast that excites every palate. However, with so many sour cocktails out there, it can be quite overwhelming to decide which ones to experiment with. That’s where we come in. We have curated a list of sour cocktails that will not only surprise your taste buds but also leave an indelible mark on your palate.

1. The Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is probably the most famous of all sour cocktails. It’s easy to make, and the finished product has the ideal ratio of sweet and tart flavors. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• ¾ oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Angostura Orange bitters for garnish

Instructions: 

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well until properly chilled. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with the Angostura bitters. 

2. Rum Sour Cocktail

The Rum Sour is a classic cocktail that combines the rich flavors of rum with bright and tangy citrus notes. It’s simple, and you can add your own flair by changing the sweetener, rum, or citrus juice.

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Papa’s Pilar Sherry Cask Dark Rum 
• ¾ oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: 

Pour all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake the mixture for 15 seconds to mix the flavors. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with a lemon twist. 

3. Vodka Sour

 

Anyone who enjoys tart and sour cocktails will definitely love the refreshing and sweet Vodka Sour cocktail. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• Lemon slice or cherry for garnish

Instructions:

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain the mixture into a glass with ice and garnish with a lemon slice or cherry. 

4. The Gin Sour

The Gin Sour is the ideal cocktail for those who prefer bitter and herbaceous drinks. This recipe substitutes half an ounce of Aperol for one ounce of simple syrup, adding sweetness and a tangy, sharp citrus flavor that enhances the gin’s delicate botanicals. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ oz. Suntory Roku Gin
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• ½ oz. Aperol
• 1 egg white
• 3 drops Angostura aromatic bitters for garnish
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions: 

Combine the ingredients in a shaker and shake hard to emulsify the contents. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the aromatic bitters and lemon wheel. 

5. The Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour has been a popular cocktail since the early 1970s. Not only is it refreshing, but it’s also quick and easy to make.

Ingredients: 

• ¾ oz. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon
• 1 ½ oz. Amaretto liqueur
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• ½ oz. egg white
• 2 brandied cherries and 1 lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: 

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and shake well until well chilled. Strain into a glass with ice cubes and garnish with the cherries and lemon twist. 

6. Bourbon Sour Cocktail

The Bourbon Sour is a classic cocktail that combines bourbon flavors with the sweetness of simple syrup and the tangy kick of lemon juice. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Angel’s Envy Straight Bourbon
• ½ teaspoon superfine sugar
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions: 

Combine the bourbon, sugar, and lemon in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with the orange slice

7. Tequila Sour

The Tequila Sour brings the vibrant flavors of tequila together with the tanginess of citrus and a touch of sweetness. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Patron El Alto Reposado Tequila
• ¾ oz. fresh lime juice
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Lemon slice for garnish

Instructions: 

Add ice and all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass and garnish with the lemon slice. 

8. Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail

A beautiful fusion of tart and sweet flavors, the Cherry Vodka Sour cocktail is sure to surprise your taste buds. It’s perfect for romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 oz. Wheatley Vodka
• 1 oz. sour mix
• Splash of grenadine
• Orange slice  and cherry for garnish

Instructions: 

Pour the vodka and sour mix into a cocktail glass with ice. Top it with the splash of grenadine and garnish with the orange slice and cherry. 

9. New York Sour Cocktail

The New York Sour is a classic cocktail that takes the traditional Whiskey Sour and adds a unique twist by topping it with a layer of red wine. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
• ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• ½ oz. red wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: 

Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake the mixture for 30 seconds, then strain it into a rocks glass with ice. Carefully pour the red wine over the drink and garnish with a lemon twist. 

10. Aperol Sour

Looking for ways to use the bottle of Aperol on your serving cart other than mixing it with some club soda and Prosecco? Look no further than the Aperol Sour. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 2 oz. Aperol
• ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: 

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon twist. 

11. Trinidad Sour

Trinidad Sour is a unique cocktail that features a combination of bitters as its primary ingredient, giving it a complex and robust flavor profile. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ oz. Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
• 1 oz. Angostura bitters
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. Orgeat
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: 

Add the ingredients plus ice cubes into a shaker and shake well. Strain into a glass and garnish with the lemon twist. 

12. Winter Citrus Sour

The Winter Citrus Sour is a delightful cocktail that combines the bright and refreshing flavors of citrus fruits with a tangy sour kick. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• ½ oz. Cointreau 
• ½ oz. simple syrup

Instructions: 

Add the gin, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake thoroughly and strain into a chilled glass. 

13. The Pineapple Mezcal Sour

The Pineapple Mezcal Sour is a sweet, refreshing cocktail that introduces the smoky complexity of mezcal and the tropical sweetness of pineapple. 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Amaras Mezcal Cupreata 
• 2  oz. fresh pineapple juice
• 1 oz. lime juice
• ½ tablespoon of agave syrup
• 1 egg white
• 3 drops aromatic bitters for garnish

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker until foamy. Strain the mixture into a glass and garnish with the aromatic bitters. 

14. The Grapefruit Tequila Sour

The Grapefruit Tequila Sour draws its inspiration from the Paloma, Mexico’s iconic cocktail, and turns its standard ingredients of grapefruit juice, tequila, and lime juice into the traditional sour build. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Don Julio 1942 Tequila
• 2 oz. grapefruit juice
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 1 egg white
• Agave syrup to taste

Instructions: 

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and dry shake to emulsify. Add some ice and shake again for 30 seconds. Serve in a coupe glass and enjoy. 

15. The Plum Sour

A delightful variation of the Gin Sour, this cocktail adds a fruity element to the drink by infusing simple syrup with Plums. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ oz. Tanqueray Gin
• ½ oz. plum simple syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 egg white

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail and shake to chill. Strain the mixture into a coupe glass and enjoy. 

Conclusion 

These sour cocktails showcase the beauty of combining sweetness and tartness to create refreshing drinks that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether it’s the classic Whiskey Sour or the elegant New York Sour, these cocktails are a testament to the artistry of mixing flavors. So, raise your glass to sour cocktails and elevate your cocktail experience. 

FAQs 

Are Sour Cocktails a Recent Trend in Mixology? 

Sour cocktails have been a staple for decades. However, modern mixologists continue to innovate and reinvent these classics. 

Is it Okay to Substitute Ingredients in Sour Cocktail Recipes? 

Yes, substitutions can be made based on your preferences or what you have on hand. For example, you can replace lime juice with orange juice or experiment with different types of sweeteners. 

Are Sour Cocktails Challenging to Make at Home? 

Not at all. Many sour cocktails are quite simple to prepare with just a few ingredients. 

Can I Customize the Level of Sourness in My Cocktail? 

Yes, you can. You can adjust the level of sourness by altering the ratio of citrus juice to sweeteners. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more sweetener; for a more tart drink, increase the citrus juice. 

Where Can I Buy Liquor Needed for Sour Cocktails? 

You can find a wide selection of liquors suitable for crafting sour cocktails at Nestor Liquor. It’s an online liquor store that offers a diverse range of spirits, including whiskey, tequila, gin, and more, to meet your cocktail needs.