This Cherry Vodka Sour uses fresh cherries and a homemade sour mix to give you a lightly sweetened, easy sipping cocktail.
You’ll love the fresh taste of this delicious twist on a classic vodka sour cocktail. Even more, you’ll love how easy it is to mix up a refreshing summertime cocktail. It’s the perfect drink for those warm summer evenings. You’re definitely going to want to share this one with friends.
A traditional vodka sour cocktail includes an egg white for an extra frothy topping to the cocktail. I omitted it, but if you’d like to include this component, add the egg white when you add the vodka and bitters before you add the ice. Dry shake the ingredients to foam the egg white. Add ice to the shaker, and shake again to chill the drink. Strain over a rocks glass filled halfway with ice.
While I do love a frothy top on some of my cocktails, I opted to keep this one simple and refreshing for summer sipping. The Cherry Vodka Sour reminds me of cherry lemonade with its delightful taste. With that said, do be sure to sip and not gulp the entire glass down. 😉
FAQs:
Bitters bring more complexity to cocktails. A few shakes will enhance the sweet and sour components of a cocktail like this vodka sour. Read more about bitters in Advanced Mixology’s article What are Bitters?
Ingredients for a Vodka Sour Cocktail:
- Homemade Sour Mix is key to a great tasting, refreshing cocktail.
- Vodka: Any vodka you enjoy will work in this recipe.
- Orange liqueur: Triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier will all work.
- Bitters: There are many varieties of bitters. Feel free to experiment with different flavors.
- Optional garnishes: Mint sprig, cherry, lemon wheel. If using a mint garnish, lightly smack the leaves between your palms to release the aroma.
How to mix a Cherry Vodka Sour:
- Add four pitted cherries, sour mix, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker. Muddle together to release the cherry juice.
- Pour in the vodka and a few shakes of bitters. Add ice, and shake to completely combine.
- Strain into a rocks glass, and add desired amount of ice.
Serving Suggestions:
- Optional garnishes: Mint sprig, cherry, or lemon wedge.
- For a zero proof (mocktail) version, omit the vodka and orange liqueur, and replace with equal parts club soda.
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Ingredient Substitutions:
- Fresh cherries: Maraschino cherries (or their juice) can also be used, but the cocktail will be sweeter. In a pinch substitute a ½ ounce grenadine.
- Homemade sour mix: You can use a store-bought mix, but it’s not nearly as good. Instead, try using 1 ounce fresh lemon juice and a ¼ ounce simple syrup. If you want the cocktail a little sweeter, simply add a little more simple syrup.
- Vodka: You can also use whiskey or bourbon for a more intensely flavored cocktail.
Recipe Notes:
- A traditional vodka sour includes an egg white for an extra frothy topping to the cocktail. I omitted it, but if you’d like to include this component, add the egg white when you add the vodka and bitters before you add the ice. Dry shake the ingredients to foam the egg white. Add ice to the shaker, and shake again to chill the drink. Strain over a rocks glass filled halfway with ice.
- Need to up your home bartending game? This cocktail shaker set will have you mixing up cocktails and looking like a pro.
- A measured shot glass allows you to get the perfect proportions in your cocktails.
- Bitters bring more complexity to a cocktail.
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More Summer Cocktails to Love:
Explore all Cocktail recipes on Inspired Fresh Life.
Cherry Vodka Sour
This Cherry Vodka Sour uses fresh cherries and a homemade sour mix to give you a lightly sweetened, easy sipping cocktail. Serve up this beautifully hued cocktail at your next happy hour.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 ounce homemade sour mix
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- 2-3 dashes bitters
- 4 cherries muddled
- mint sprig, optional garnish
- lemon slice, optional garnish
Instructions
- Add four pitted cherries, sour mix, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker. Muddle together to release the cherry juice.
- Pour in the vodka and a few shakes of bitters. Add ice, and shake to completely combine.
- Strain into a rocks glass, and add desired amount of ice.
- Optional garnishes: Mint sprig, cherry, or lemon wedge.
Notes
A traditional vodka sour includes an egg white for an extra frothy topping to the cocktail. I omitted it, but if you’d like to include this component, add the egg white when you add the vodka and bitters before you add the ice. Dry shake the ingredients to foam the egg white. Add ice to the shaker, and shake again to chill the drink. Strain over a rocks glass filled halfway with ice.
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Fresh cherries: Maraschino cherries can also be used, but the cocktail will be sweeter. In a pinch substitute a ½ ounce grenadine.
- Homemade sour mix: You can use a store-bought mix, but it’s not nearly as good. Instead, try using 1 ounce fresh lemon juice and a ¼ ounce simple syrup. If you want the cocktail a little sweeter, simply add a little more simple syrup.
- Vodka: You can also use whiskey or bourbon for a more intensely flavored cocktail.
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