The gin expression of the classic Sour template, the Gin Sour shakes gin with fresh lemon juice and sugar over ice and strains the result into a sour glass, finished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. As one of the earliest and most universal cocktail formulas — spirit, citrus, sweetener — the Sour underpins a large share of the mixed-drink canon, and this version balances tartness, sweetness, and the gin's botanicals at around 12 percent alcohol by volume. Its enduring popularity rests on that simple, well-proportioned three-part structure.
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Gin Sour
Zutaten
- Gin 2 oz
- Zitronensaft 1 oz
- Zucker 1/2 tsp superfine
- Orange 1
- Cocktailkirsche 1
Anweisungen
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a sour glass and garnish with the orange slice and the cherry.
The Gin Sour is a foundational cocktail combining gin with fresh lemon juice and sugar shaken over ice and served in a sour glass, garnished with an orange slice and maraschino cherry. It is the gin expression of the classic Sour template — spirit, citrus, sweetener — one of the earliest and most universal cocktail formulas. The sour's tart-sweet-botanical balance makes it enduringly popular.
History & Origins
The Sour category is one of the oldest and most foundational cocktail families, with recipes documented in American bartending guides from the mid-19th century. Jerry Thomas included gin sour variants in his 1862 'Bar-Tender's Guide,' establishing the formula. The gin sour's close relationship to the Gimlet and the Gin Daisy reflects the versatility of the core sour template.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: fresh lemon citrus and juniper-forward gin botanicals with a slight sweetness from the superfine sugar. Palate: tart and bright with lemon acidity at the forefront, the gin's botanical complexity providing herbal depth, and the sugar rounding the acidity into a satisfying sweet-sour balance. Finish: dry, citrusy, and botanical with a clean, refreshing fade.
Pro Tip
Use superfine sugar as specified rather than simple syrup for a slightly different texture, and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds to fully integrate and chill all ingredients.
Verwendete Techniken
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Gin Sour?
A Gin Sour contains gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup, shaken with ice and strained into a sour glass or rocks glass. Optional egg white is often added to create a smoother texture and a foam layer on top, making the cocktail a Silver Gin Sour. The classic sour formula of spirit, citrus, and sweetener applies directly to this drink.
How does the Gin Sour compare to a Tom Collins?
The Gin Sour and Tom Collins share the same base ingredients of gin, lemon juice, and sugar, but the Tom Collins extends the drink with club soda and is served tall over ice, making it a long drink. The Gin Sour is a short cocktail served without soda, resulting in a more concentrated, intense flavor with a lower volume and typically higher ABV per sip.
What garnish is traditional for a Gin Sour?
A maraschino cherry and an orange or lemon half-wheel are the classic garnishes for a Gin Sour, following the traditional sour cocktail presentation. When egg white is included, a few drops of Angostura bitters on the foam surface create a decorative and aromatic finish. Some modern versions use a dehydrated lemon wheel or expressed lemon peel for a cleaner, more contemporary look.
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