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The classic Vodka Sour is simple to make and to drink! With a short and sweet ingredient list, this vodka cocktail is made for easy sipping!!
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 cocktails!
So despite having over 12 vodka cocktails 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 cocktails, the formula is pretty simple - liquor+lemon or lime juice + a sweetener. So, for this drink, you'll need:
- Vodka - since this cocktail 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!
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How to Make A Vodka Sour
Making a sour drink couldn't be easier!
- Combine the vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice.
- Place the tin on top and shake for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker tin is frosty!
- Strain over ice into a rocks glass OR serve straight up (no ice) in a cocktail glass!
- Garnish with a lemon and Luxardo cherry if desired.
If you've never shaken a cocktail, here's my latest video to show you how!
Cherry Vodka Sour & Other Variations
If you haven't guessed by now, this basic cocktail 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:
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, ¾ oz. of simple syrup, ¼ oz. grenadine and 3 dashes of angostura bitters to the cocktail shaker.
- Add ice.
- Shake the cocktail for 10 -15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass or a coupe.
- Garnish with a cherry and fresh mint if desired.
Other Sour Cocktails you may enjoy!
- Tamarind Margarita - possibly one of the best Margarita cocktail 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 Cocktails for Vodka Drink Lovers!
- Grey Goose Martini - the classic cocktail 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
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: cocktail
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 cocktail 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 cocktail cherry optional
- 1 sprig mint optional
Instructions
In a cocktail 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 cocktail cherry if desired.
Cherry Vodka Sour
In a cocktail 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 Cocktail Recipes
- Apple Martini
- Bourbon Smash Cocktail
- Demerara Syrup
- Dark Rum Mojito
Reader Interactions
Comments
Emily says
Love this!Reply
Nancy says
Hi Emily,
Thank you so much for letting me know!!!
Reply
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
garry cucci says
Just a wonderful site to visitReply
