A refreshing tequila sour blends tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and an optional egg white, creating a smooth, tangy cocktail with a frothy finish.

When it comes to cocktails, I love a good pucker so I'm all about sours. I've got every version under the sun - from an Aperol sour to a vodka sour to a rum sour.
But let's be honest. Most people love their tequila. And it doesn't have to be used just for margaritas.
Why This Recipe Works
- It is a spin on a whiskey sour.
- The citrus notes are incredibly refreshing, especially on a hot day.
- It's an impressive yet simple cocktail to make for any occasion.
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Ingredient Notes
- Tequila - Choose a quality tequila, preferably silver or blanco, for a clean and crisp base.
- Lime juice - Where some of the sourness comes from with this sour cocktail. You can also use lemon juice or even orange juice.
- Agave syrup - For sweetness, use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It complements the flavors and adds a touch of richness. It also offsets some of the tartness from the lime juice.
- Egg white - Adds frothiness, viscosity and mouthfeel to the cocktail, but isn't necessary. If you are concerned about raw eggs, you can just omit it.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice and shake for 30 seconds. Add ice, shake for another 30 seconds, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime slice.
FAQs
A sour is a mixed drink with a base liquor, citrus juice, sweetener and sometimes egg whites. They come in many varieties.
Silver tequila is bottled right after the distilling process, giving it a stronger agave flavor. Gold tequila is either aged in barrels or has caramel coloring added.
With that said, silver tequila is not only cheaper but better for mixed drinks in my opinion. Either works though.
No. Egg whites will have very little effect on the cocktail's taste. They add a nice rich, silky, foam texture. So it is all about preference.
If you want some foam but are concerned about raw egg, you can try Ms. Better's Bitters. It is vegan and actually works in creating foam!
I personally like using a coupe glass, but an old fashioned whiskey glass works as well.
Best Tequila
Like and liquor, you can go super expensive or quite affordable. Luckily there are plenty of options.
- Roca Patrón Silver – It has a fresh, delicate citrus aroma with a low and balanced alcohol note. It is sweet with notes of black pepper and lime tea.
- Espolòn Blanco – This is a great budget tequila with bright agave flavor and notes of pepper, vanilla bean, grilled pineapple and spice.
- Olmeca Altos – This is my go-to. It has hints of citrus, pepper, sweet agave, fruit, herbal and earthy, with some light floral notes.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled lime juice just isn't as good. You can replace the lime with lemon juice if you prefer.
- Customize the sweetness by adjusting the amount of agave syrup to suit your preference.
- Do a dry shake first before adding the ice which cools the drink but strengthens the foam.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
Other Cocktails
If you’ve tried this tequila sour or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Tequila Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz agave syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and add a lime slice as garnish.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled lime juice just isn't as good. You can replace the lime with lemon juice if you prefer.
- Customize the sweetness by adjusting the amount of agave syrup to suit your preference.
- Do a dry shake first before adding the ice which cools the drink but strengthens the foam.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
Diana says
Perfect for summer
Ryan says
Yeah it's quite good.