Best Vodka Sour Recipe (2024)

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The classic Vodka Sour is simple to make and to drink! With a short and sweet ingredient list, this vodka co*cktail is made for easy sipping!!

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (1)

Vodka Sour Drink

Vodka is incredibly versatile. With it's clean, neutral flavor, it's pretty much a blank canvas! From thirst-quenching drinks like a Moscow Mule to a more sophisticated drink like the Cosmopolitan, vodka is one of my "go-to" liquors when making co*cktails!

So despite having over 12 vodka co*cktails in the archives... I didn't have a Vodka Sour recipe.

So it was definitely time to rectify that! And I'm hoping you'll be as happy about it as I am!

What's in a Vodka Sour?

Like all sour co*cktails, the formula is pretty simple - liquor+lemon or lime juice + a sweetener. So, for this drink, you'll need:

  • Vodka - since this co*cktail has such a short ingredient list, opt for a smooth vodka. Grey Goose, Sipsmith or Snow Leopard (my personal favorite!) are all good choices!
  • Fresh Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice has a much brighter flavor than bottled so use fresh!
  • Simple syrup

TIP:

A homemade sour mix is a great substitute for lemon juice and simple syrup!

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (2)

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How to Make A Vodka Sour

Making a sour drink couldn't be easier!

  1. Combine the vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into a co*cktail shaker.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Place the tin on top and shake for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker tin is frosty!
  4. Strain over ice into a rocks glass OR serve straight up (no ice) in a co*cktail glass!
  5. Garnish with a lemon and Luxardo cherry if desired.

If you've never shaken a co*cktail, here's my latest video to show you how!

Cherry Vodka Sour & Other Variations

If you haven't guessed by now, this basic co*cktail recipe is tailor-made for variations! You can swap lime juice for lemon, and replace the simple syrup with a flavored syrup like maple or grenadine. Or (my personal favorite!) add a liqueur - Triple Sec or Elderflower liqueur would be delicious!

Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

One of the most popular variations of the vodka sour is the Cherry Vodka Sour. It's really just a standard vodka sour with the addition of grenadine.

How to make a Cherry Vodka Sour

To make it:

  1. Add the vodka, lemon juice, ¾ oz. of simple syrup, ¼ oz. grenadine and 3 dashes of angostura bitters to the co*cktail shaker.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Shake the co*cktail for 10 -15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass or a coupe.
  4. Garnish with a cherry and fresh mint if desired.
Best Vodka Sour Recipe (3)

Other Sour co*cktails you may enjoy!

  • Tamarind Margarita - possibly one of the best Margarita co*cktail recipes I've ever tried!
  • The BEST Margarita on the Rocks Recipe - truly the best, classic margarita ever!
  • Gin Gimlet - this one uses Botanist gin!!

Other Vodka co*cktails for Vodka Drink Lovers!

  • Grey Goose Martini - the classic co*cktail with a little twist!
  • Vodka and Cranberry - the classic Cape Cod gets a simple update!
  • Key Lime Martini - This one is perfectly balanced!
  • White Russian - for all you Pumpkin Spice lovers!!

📖Recipe

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (4)

Vodka Sour Recipe

Simple, sweet and sour, the classic Vodka Sour is meant for easy sipping! With infinite variations, it's definitely a vodka recipe you want in your collection.

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Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 462kcal

Author: Nancy Buchanan

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Vodka
  • 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 lemon slice optional
  • 1 co*cktail cherry optional

Cherry Vodka Sour

  • 2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ oz. simple syrup
  • ¼ oz. grenadine
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 co*cktail cherry optional
  • 1 sprig mint optional

Instructions

  • In a co*cktail shaker, combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and angostura bitters.

  • Add Ice to the shaker and close.

  • Shake for 10 - 15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

  • Garnish with a lemon slice and a co*cktail cherry if desired.

Cherry Vodka Sour

  • In a co*cktail shaker, combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, grenadine and angostura bitters.

  • Add ice to the shaker and close.

  • Shake for 10-15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

  • Garnish with a cherry on a pick if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 74mg | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 166IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

More Easy co*cktail Recipes

  • Apple Martini
  • Bourbon Smash co*cktail
  • Demerara Syrup
  • Dark Rum Mojito

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily says

    Best Vodka Sour Recipe (9)
    Love this!

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      Hi Emily,

      Thank you so much for letting me know!!!

      Reply

  2. GrannyK says

    I’ve never made a vodka sour with angostura bitters before so I gave it a try. Way too much bitters. I may try it again with one dash but most likely I’ll go back to leaving them out. I also found it it to be too sweet but maybe my lemons weren’t vey sour this time around.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a vodka sour made of? ›

How to make:
60 mlKetel One Vodka
30 mlLemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15 mlMonin Pure Cane sugar syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2 sugar to 1 water)
2 dashAngostura Aromatic Bitters
15 mlPasteurised egg white or Aquafaba (chickpea water) or 3 dashes Fee Brothers Fee Foam co*cktail foamer
1 more row

Can you order a vodka sour? ›

In some areas, straight up is used interchangeably with 'neat'. Sour – the term 'sour' refers to the sourness of sour bar mix, bar lime mix, lime bar mix or margarita mix. If someone orders a Vodka Sour, they want vodka and bar lime mix.

What makes an alcoholic drink a sour? ›

Sours are mixed drinks containing a base liquor, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener (simple syrup or orgeat syrup). Egg whites are also included in some sours.

What is the difference between vodka sour and vodka Collins? ›

A basic sour is made up of a base spirit plus a sour ingredient, either simple syrup with lemon or a pre-mixed sour. If those components are served in a tall glass with ice and topped with soda, then they create a collins.

Is vodka sour a normal drink? ›

The Vodka Sour is a classic co*cktail that has been enjoyed for decades. It is a simple yet versatile drink that has a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. ... more. It is a simple yet versatile drink that has a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors.

Is Smirnoff bottom shelf vodka? ›

In London, Smirnoff, which is owned by United Distillers and Vintners, a unit of Diageo, is considered top shelf, while in the United States it leans more toward bottom drawer.

Is Smirnoff vodka sour? ›

Perfect serve: Smirnoff Berry Lemon Sours Vodka is only pleasantly sour, so you can enjoy it neat on the rocks. This creation is also enjoyable as a chilled shot.

What is the sour vodka with balls in it? ›

Xotic Comets are transparent Vodka-Based Premium Sour. Each bottle has luminous, edible jelly-like comet balls, fun and glow under UV light. Comets are made from an organic extract.

What is the formula for the sour co*cktail? ›

The golden formula for an easy sour co*cktail breaks down like this: 2 ounces spirit. 1 ounce sweet. 1 ounce sour.

What is the most sour co*cktail? ›

Daiquiri. The Daiquiri is the ultimate sour co*cktail with a perfect balance of ingredients. Despite its seeming simplicity, the Daiquiri co*cktail has become the ultimate test for the bartender.

What not to mix with vodka? ›

  • Energy Drinks. Mixing caffeine with liquor may give you a lot of energy and lessen the effects of alcohol, but this will only make you continually drink more alcohol. ...
  • Marijuana. ...
  • Pain Relief Medication. ...
  • Painkillers. ...
  • Sleeping Pills. ...
  • Cocaine. ...
  • Hallucinogens. ...
  • Antidepressants.

What not to drink vodka with? ›

Medications that shouldn't be taken with alcohol
  • Pain medications. ...
  • Anxiety medications (Ativan, Xanax) and sleeping pills (Ambien, Lunesta) ...
  • Antidepressants and antipsychotics. ...
  • ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin) ...
  • Antibiotics (azithromycin, metronidazole) ...
  • Nitrates and blood pressure medications.
Nov 28, 2022

What is a good mix with Absolut vodka? ›

The world of Absolut co*cktails
  • BLOODY MARY. Ingredients. 1 ½ Parts / 45 ml Absolut Vodka. 5 Parts / 150 ml Tomato Juice. ...
  • ESPRESSO MARTINI. Ingredients. 2 Parts / 40 ml Absolut Vodka. 1 Part / 20 ml Kahlúa. ...
  • ABSOLUT MULE. Ingredients. Ice cubes. ...
  • ABSOLUT PASSIONSTAR MARTINI. Ingredients. 1½ Parts / 45 ml Absolut Vanilia.

What are sour shots made of? ›

A sour has just three base ingredients: liquor, citrus (the "sour" part), and sweetener. The combinations of these ingredients are endless: a sour can be made with any spirit, but most commonly with whiskey, tequila, gin, rum, or vodka.

Does vodka sour have sugar? ›

The history of co*cktails: Vodka Sour

They added lemons or limes to combat scurvy – which is why in the US the British are known as 'limeys' to this day. Topped off with sugar and water, the Sour was born: enjoyed today as a light and refreshing summer co*cktail.

What is the cherry vodka sour made of? ›

To a co*cktail shaker, add the vodka, lemon juice, cherry juice, and egg white, if using, and shake vigorously until nice and frothy. Add ice and shake again for an additional 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and serve with Mezzetta® Maraschino Cherries Without Stems as a garnish.

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