Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
There’s no better than a sour cocktail during your lazy night at home.
But did you know that your favorite sour cocktails are sure to be a blast whether you’re looking for a refreshing drink or a highlight in your next party?
Here are the best sour cocktails compiled by our team.
Top 20 Sour Cocktails To Make
20. Paloma
Paloma cocktail is the new variation on the classic sour Margarita. For a Mexican Paloma sour drink, combine grapefruit and tequila.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 2oz Blanco tequila
- 1oz soda water
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.5oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- Sea salt, grapefruit wedge
Instructions: Rim your glass using the grapefruit wedge and sea salt, then add the liquid ingredients, except soda water. Stir, add ice, and pour soda water on top.
Serving: 1
19. Classic Mojito
Try this fantastic Cuban cocktail – Classic Mojito, balanced with lime, fresh mint, and rum.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz soda water
- 2oz white rum
- 1oz simple syrup
- 1oz lime juice
- Mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle the mint leaves in your shaker, then add the liquids, except soda water. Add ice, shake, and strain in your glass. Top it with soda water and serve with mint leaves.
Serving: 1
18. Clover Club
Clover Club is another classic sour cocktail with tart red fruit notes and a velvety texture from the foamy topping.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 3oz gin
- Egg white
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75oz raspberry syrup
Instructions: Shake all the ingredients in your bar shaker for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 15 seconds. Strain the gin sour in your cocktail glass and serve.
Serving: 1
17. Tequila Sour
This Tequila Sour is a revitalizing sweet and sour cocktail with a foamy topping.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2-dashes Angostura bitters
- 2tsp agave nectar
- 2oz reposado tequila
- 0.5oz lime juice
- 1oz lemon juice
- Egg white
Instructions: In your cocktail shaker, shake all the ingredients for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds more. Strain in your glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry if desired.
Serving: 1
16. Classic Margarita
One of the most well-known sour cocktails, Classic Margarita, is an easy-to-make cocktail you can have in just three ingredients.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 0.75oz fresh lime juice
- 1oz Triple sec or Cointreau
- 1.5oz tequila reposado or blanco
- Lime wedge, Kosher salt
Instructions: Rim your cocktail glass with a lime wedge and salt. Then, mix all the ingredients in your shaker and strain them into your rimmed margarita glass over ice.
Serving: 1
15. New York Sour
Level up the classic Whiskey Sour with the addition of a red wine float on top in this stunning New York Sour.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1oz dry red wine (or Italian liqueur)
- 0.5oz agave syrup
- 1oz lemon, juiced
- 2oz bourbon whiskey
Instructions: Mix bourbon, juice, and syrup in your shaker with ice. Shake until cold and strain in your Old-Fashiond glass. Carefully pour some red wine on top to create a layered effect.
Serving: 1
14. Southside
If you want a unique drink from the sour family, try this Southside recipe, a sour cocktail made with mint, lime & lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.5oz lemon juice
- 0.5oz lime juice
- 2oz gin
- Mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle the mint leaves in your shaker and add all the liquids with ice. Shake and strain in your chilled coupe glass.
Serving: 1
13. Pomegranate Martini
Pomegranate Martini is another spin on one of the classic sour cocktails– the Martini but is more similar to the Cosmopolitan. Confusing, right? So, try it yourself.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins.
Ingredients:
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.5oz lemon, juiced
- 0.5oz Cointreau
- 1oz pomegranate juice
- 1oz vodka
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients in your bar shaker with ice. Shake and strain in your martini glass.
Serving: 1
12. Pisco Sour
This Pisco Sour cocktail is a go-to drink for brandy [1] lovers who want a sour kick. Use fresh lime and egg whites to achieve a beautiful foamy texture.
“Pisco Sour was extremely memorable: delicious, powerful, with a strong kick. It’s been a sentimental favorite ever since.”
— Nico Vera, Peruvian Chef/Pisco Enthusiast
Prep Time: 5 mins.
Total Time: 5 mins.
Ingredients:
- 2oz Pisco
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 1oz lime juice
- Egg white
Instructions: Shake all the ingredients in a shaker for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds more. Strain the Pisco Sour into your cocktail glass (you’ll see the egg-white foam on top).
Serving: 1
11. Sidecar
Want the best classic sour cocktail of all time? Prep this Sidecar Cocktail to savor its sweet and tart flavors.
Prep Time: 5 mins.
Total Time: 5 mins.
Ingredients:
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz Cointreau
- 2oz Cognac VS or VSOP
- Orange twist, sugar rim
Instructions: Rim your glass using the sugar and lemon twist; set aside. Shake all the liquids in your shaker with ice and strain the mix into your prepared glass. Garnish with an orange twist and serve.
Serving: 1
10. Gin Gimlet
Another classic sour cocktail is this Gin Gimlet made only from lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- Club soda
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.5oz lemon juice
- 20z gin
Instructions: Mix gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in your cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled. Strain in your glass and add a few drops of soda on top.
Serving: 1
9. French 75
This classic cocktail, French 75, is a refreshment combining the flavors of gin and lemon– perfect for any celebration.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 3oz champagne
- 1oz simple syrup
- 0.75 fresh lemon juice
- 1.5oz gin
Instructions: Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin to your bar shaker filled with ice. Shake for 15 seconds and strain the sour cocktail in your champagne flute. Pour champagne [2] on top and enjoy.
Serving: 1
8. Gin Fizz
Want a gin-based, simple drink? Then, try this Gin Fizz cocktail with soda water and egg whites, creating a foamy topping for a fizzy yet smooth texture.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.75oz lemon juice
- 2oz gin
- Egg white
- Sparkling water
Instructions: Shake gin, egg white, lemon juice, and simple syrup in your shaker for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds more. Strain in your glass and pour some sparkling water on top.
Serving: 1
7. Vodka Sour
Vodka Sour is a truly sour cocktail yet refreshingly sweet– with a frothy topping.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- A few dashes of Angostura bitters
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz citrus juice (optional)
- 1oz lemon juice
- 2oz vodka
- Egg white
Instructions: Shake all the ingredients in your bar shaker for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain in your glass and let the foam float on top.
Serving: 1
6. Amaretto Sour
No one will forget Amaretto Sour, one of the iconic sour cocktails popular today. However, it looks like the classic Whiskey Sour; nah, it tastes different.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2-dashes Angostura bitters
- 1tsp honey syrup
- 1oz juiced lemon
- 0.5 bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1.5oz amaretto (for a different variation, try using maraschino liqueur)
- Egg white
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients in your bar shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain in your glass and let the foam float on top.
Serving: 1
5. Tom Collins
This classic cocktail, Tom Collins, is a gin sour drink close to Gin Fizz. Enjoy the bubbly, sweet-tart, and light flavors.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 4oz sparkling water
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- 2oz dry gin
Instructions: Combine gin [3], juice, and simple syrup in your cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain gin sour in your glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling water and serve with maraschino cherry and lemon wheel if desired.
Serving: 1
4. Cosmo
Yes, Cosmo is one of the sour cocktails, too. Cranberry juice imparts the bright pink hue of this sour cocktail but is perfect for any sweet tooth.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1tsp maple syrup
- 0.5oz lemon juice
- 0.5oz orange liqueur
- 1oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1oz vodka
- Lime wedge
Instructions: Add all the liquids to your shaker and shake filled with ice. Shake for 15 seconds and strain in your martini glass. Squeeze the lime wedge and serve.
Serving: 1
3. Lemon Drop Martini
Lemon Drop Martini is one of the favorites among the best sour cocktails, enhanced by orange liqueurs, vodka, and citrus fruit.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1tsp maple syrup
- 0.5oz lemon, juiced
- 0.5oz orange liqueur
- 1.5oz vodka
- Lemon wheel and sugar (Superfine)
Instructions: Rim your glass using the lemon wheel and sugar; set aside. Mix all the ingredients in the bar shaker with ice, shake, and strain in your rimmed glass.
Serving: 1
2. Classic Daiquiri
One of the classic sour cocktails, this Daiquiri recipe is similar to Mojito, but this unique rum sour is popular on its own.
Prep/Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 0.5oz simple syrup
- 1oz lime juice
- 1.5oz white rum
- Lime slice
Instructions: Pour the juice, simple syrup, and rum into your cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled. Strain in your glass and serve with a slice of lime.
Serving: 1
1. Whiskey Sour
The favorite among classic sour cocktails is whiskey Sour. Enjoy its perfectly balanced flavors with an acidic element and the addition of egg whites.
Prep Time: 3 mins.
Total Time: 3 mins.
Ingredients:
- 2oz bourbon whiskey
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75oz simple syrup or maple syrup
- Cherry, orange peel
Instructions: In your shaker, add all liquid ingredients with ice. Shake and strain into your lowball glass over ice. Garnish with cherry and orange peel, then serve.
Serving: 1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you make a sour mix?
To make a sour mix, combine sugar, limes, lemons, and water.
Are sours actually sour?
Sours actually has sour notes. You can taste some tartness or acidity, but it blends well with all the flavors of the drink.
Is Margarita mix the same as a sour mix?
Margarita mix and sour mix are similar. The only difference is that Margarita uses lime juice, while sour mix uses lime and lemon.
What is a sour cocktail?
A sour cocktail is a classic mixed drink characterized by a combination of four key components: a base spirit, a sour element (typically citrus juice), a sweetener, and ice. This versatile cocktail category includes renowned concoctions such as the Whiskey Sour, Margarita, and Daiquiri, each offering a balanced interplay of sweet and sour flavors.
What are the 5 most popular cocktails?
The five most popular cocktails, widely celebrated and cherished globally, include the Martini, Old Fashioned, Margarita, Mojito, and the Moscow Mule. These iconic drinks showcase diverse flavor profiles, from the sophisticated simplicity of the Martini to the refreshing zest of a Mojito, catering to a broad spectrum of tastes.
What is the sour family of cocktails?
The sour family of cocktails encompasses a range of mixed drinks that share a fundamental formula—combining a base spirit with citrus juice (commonly lemon or lime), a sweetener (often simple syrup), and ice. Classic examples include the Whiskey Sour, Pisco Sour, and Amaretto Sour, all characterized by a delightful balance between tartness and sweetness.
What kind of alcohol is in a sour?
The type of alcohol in a sour cocktail can vary, as sours are adaptable to different base spirits. Common choices include whiskey for a Whiskey Sour, tequila for a Margarita, and gin for a Gin Sour. The versatility of the sour cocktail concept allows enthusiasts to tailor their drinks based on personal preferences and spirit choices.
What kind of sour cocktails are there?
There is a myriad of sour cocktails, each showcasing unique flavor profiles and spirit choices. Popular variations include the Sidecar (made with brandy), the Daiquiri (rum-based), and the Clover Club (gin-based with raspberry syrup). Creative mixologists continually innovate within the sour family, introducing exciting twists and diverse ingredients.
What is the most sour drink?
While individual taste perceptions may vary, the Pucker Up cocktail is renowned for its intense sourness. Combining lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and a high-proof spirit, this concoction delivers an exceptionally tart flavor, providing a bold experience for those seeking an extra kick of acidity.
What is the king of all cocktails?
The title of the “king of all cocktails” is subjective and often varies based on personal preferences. However, the Martini is frequently regarded as a contender for this illustrious title. Its timeless elegance, simplicity, and association with sophistication have solidified its status as an iconic cocktail, making it a classic choice for cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.
Final Verdict: Best Sour Cocktails
Speaking of sour cocktails, there are many great-tasting drinks, regardless of the celebration and season.
From the classic Daiquiri to Pisco Sour [4] to the Paloma cocktail, all are equally refreshing, tart yet sweet, and easy-to-prepare beverages with a kick of alcohol.
But what we love the most is, of course, the classic Whiskey Sour. When we say sour cocktail–that’s Whiskey Sour right away.
References:
- brandy alcoholic beverage
- champagne alcoholic beverage
- gin liquor
- How Pisco Sour Became Peru’s Favourite Cocktail
