Embrace the crispness of fall with this simple Gin Sour recipe! Crafted with Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, this tangy cocktail is an autumnal delight.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
220
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes lemon bitters - optional
- 1 egg white - optional
- Cherry and lemon zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill an old fashioned glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Egg White (optional): crack open an egg, separate white from yolk and pour the white into the shaker.
- Add Bitters (optional): Pour 2 dashes of lemon bitters into the shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Measure and pour 1 oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Simple Syrup: Add ¾ oz simple syrup to the mix.
- Add Gin: Pour 2 oz Gin into the shaker.
- Dry Shake (only if using egg white): Close the shaker and shake it for about 15-20 seconds, without ice.
- Shake with Ice: Fill the shaker with ice. Close it well and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Strain: Take the Old Fashioned glass and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside. Using the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the ice filled glass.
- Garnish: Express the lemon zest on top of the glass (you can either discard it after or place it on the rim of the glass for an added citrus touch) and add a cherry if you like.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: Any type of gin will work for this recipe: feel free to experiment with your favorite bottles! If you don’t have any Gin, vodka can be a good substitute. It will give you a different flavor profile, but it's still delicious (see “Whisky Sour” article for more inspirations and details about the Sour drinks family).
- Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch if fresh lemons aren't available. Just remember that fresh is always best! Otherwise, fresh lime juice is also a good option.
- Simple Syrup: If you're out of simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. Alternatively, agave nectar or honey can be used as natural sweeteners.
- Lemon bitters: you can experiment with any kind of bitters you like (grapefruit works really well too, for example) or simply ditch the bitters altogether.
Making a Pitcher of Gin Sour:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of lemon juice, and 6 oz of simple syrup.
- Mix: Combine the Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled old fashioned glasses and garnish with lemon zests twists and/or cherries. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep them in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container. Serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals. You can also use fruit juices such as apple, pear, or white grape juice.
- Lemon bitters: To get the citrusy touch brought by the Lemon bitter, you can slightly muddle a lemon zest into the shaker/mixing glass before adding the rest of the ingredients. Also, note that 2 dashes of bitters in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol, this can also be a suitable option.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Simple Syrup: Ensure your simple syrup is made with white, preferably organic sugar. Brown sugar and other sugars are often processed using bone char, which is not vegan. Alternatively, use agave nectar, which is naturally vegan, as a sweetener.
- Egg white: if you want to make your cocktail foamy, you can use ½ ounce of aquafaba (chickpea water) to replace the egg white. Follow all the steps, as aquafaba also needs to be shaken twice to make a proper foam.
- Garnish: Be sure to use vegan-friendly garnishes. Some maraschino cherries are colored with cochineal (a type of insect), so look for brands that don't use animal products.
What is a Gin Sour?
A Gin Sour is a gin-based classic cocktail made of Gin, lemon juice, and sugar. This drink is relatively easy to make as it only requires three essential ingredients and simple mixing techniques. The Gin Sour belongs to the sour family of cocktails, characterized by their balance of sweet and sour flavors. It’s an exciting variant of the well-known Whiskey Sour, simply replacing whiskey with Gin.
What is a Gin Sour made of – The ingredients
The following ingredients are necessary for a Gin Sour:
- Gin: The primary spirit in the cocktail, providing a botanical flavor base.
- Lemon Juice: Adds acidity and brightness to balance the Gin’s strong taste.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the drink, counteracting the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Egg White: Creates a frothy texture and smooth mouthfeel when shaken with other ingredients.
- Lemon Bitters (optional): A few dashes enhance complexity and add depth to the flavor profile.
