Sour cocktails are one of the oldest drink families because they’re truly a timeless combination that balances sweet and sour perfectly.
Sour cocktails have been around for centuries, and for a good reason. They’re truly timeless! Whether you’re looking for something refreshing and light to sip on during the summertime, or something more complex and flavourful to enjoy during the colder months, there’s a sour cocktail out there that’s perfect for you. Some of our favourites include the Gin Fizz, the Sidecar, and the classic Whiskey Sour. So whether you’re a beginner looking for some easy recipes to start with, or a seasoned sour enthusiast looking for new and exciting flavours to explore, we’ve got you covered!
Note: there's a lot of egg white in the recipes below. If you don't eat eggs for whatever reason, see our note on substitution at the end!
Classic Whisky Sour
The Whisky Sour is a classic cocktail that dates all the way back to the 1870's, and the base for every other sour drink - sugar or sweetness, lemon or sour, spirit or beverage. It is a perfectly balanced sweet and tart concoction that's been a staple on cocktail menus the world over for longer than a century. Simple and super easy to make, and the cornerstone to all variations that followed in its footsteps.
First you'll add your ingredients to a cocktail shaker over ice and shake until very cold.
Then you're going to strain into a tumbler glass over fresh ice. Too easy!
Ingredients
- 60mL whisky (bourbon for a bourbon sour)
- 30mL lemon juice
- 15mL simple syrup
- Orange peel and cherry to garnish
The Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is a classic cocktail made with pisco, sugar, lime, and egg white. The drink is named after the Peruvian city of Pisco, where it was first created in the early 1900s. Pisco is a type of brandy that is made in Peru.
Start by adding the pisco, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white into your cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds without ice. This is called dry shaking.
Then you're going to add ice and shake for an additional 30 seconds. This is wet shaking.
Strain your ingredients into a cocktail glass, the foam will collect at the top. You can then garnish the foam with a dash of bitters.
Ingredients
- 60mL pisco
- 30mL lime juice
- 15mL simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- dash of bitters to garnish
Sidecar
The Sidecar is one of the most popular classic cocktails in the world. It was first created in 1917 by French bartender Fernand Cormon. Named after an American army captain stationed in Paris in World War I who apparently rode around in a motorcycle sidecar, the Sidecar is made by muddling Cognac, Cointreau, and Lemon juice with ice.
Start by adding a sugar rim to your cocktail glass. This is optional but common as it balances the tartness of the sidecar.
Next you're going to build your ingredients in your cocktail shaker with ice and wet shake for 30 seconds.
Strain into your cocktail glass and garnish with a citrus twist. You can also squeeze your citrus into the sidecar to add the oils and perfume.
Ingredients
- 60mL Cognac
- 30mL Cointreau
- 30mL lemon juice
- Lemon twist to garnish and optional sugar rim
Tequila Sour
A tequila sour is the perfect cocktail for someone who loves margaritas, but wants to mix it up a bit. It’s a combination of a margarita and a sour, so it’s got a little bit of everything. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for a fun night out with friends.
Start by adding all ingredients in your cocktail shaker. Dry shake for 15 seconds without ice.
Then you're going to add ice and wet shake for an additional 30 seconds.
Strain into a tumbler glass, add another dash of bitters to garnish and your lime wedge. Some people also add a cherry garnish.
Ingredients
- 60mL Tequila Reposado
- 30mL lemon juice
- 15mL lime juice
- 10mL agave or simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Bitters
- Lime wedge to garnish
The Gin Fizz
The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail that was first created in the 1870s. It is made with gin, sugar, lemon juice, an egg white and soda.
First place your gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white into your shaker and dry shake for 15 seconds.
Then add ice and wet shake for an additional 30 seconds.
Strain into your cocktail glass and top with soda water. Add your lemon twist garnish and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 60mL gin
- 10mL lemon juice
- 5mL simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Lemon twist to garnish
- Soda water to top up
*If you're a fan of sloe gin, try the Sloe Gin Fizz - simply swap out gin for sloe gin and experience a whole new type of Fizz that's equally refreshing.
The Mr. Consistent Sour Cocktail Mix
Need a quick alternative to make a sour in seconds? check out Mr. Consistent's sour cocktail mix!
Extra Hint for the Vegans Reading
To make any sour vegan, you can substitute egg white for 2 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) for a vegan variation.
