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    You Are Here: Home → Drinks and Cocktails

    Vodka Sour

    January 24, 2023 | Updated May 1, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    glass of vodka sour with bottle of vodka in the background
    two coupe glasses of vodka sours
    close-up of vodka sour in coupe glass

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    With vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and an egg white, this vodka sour is a simple cocktail that is refreshingly tart.

    glass of vodka sour with bottle of vodka in the background

    I love putting twists on classic cocktails, from a chocolate old fashioned to a vodka sunrise to a peach daiquiri to a black mojito to a Tajín margarita.

    While the classic sour cocktail is made with whiskey, I had a bottle of vodka on hand so I decided to mix it up.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • It is a spin on a whiskey sour.
    • It is a drink that is both tart but also super refreshing because of the lemon juice that is offset by a slight sweetness from the simple syrup.
    • Uses just 4 ingredients, so it is quick to prepare.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Cocktails
    • Vodka Sour
    shot of ingredients for vodka sour

    Ingredient Notes

    • Vodka - use quality vodka like Grey Goose or Belvedere. While it's called vodka sour for a reason, you can also try whiskey or even rum.
    • Lemon juice - where the sourness comes from with this sour cocktail. You can also use lime juice or even orange juice.
    • Simple syrup - adds a slight sweetness and mellows out the tartness of the lemon juice. You can buy or make your own, which means boiling equal parts sugar and water and then letting cool.
    • 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 for this cocktail can be found in recipe card below.

    process shots of making vodka sour

    Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for an additional 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and top with a lemon peel.

    FAQs

    What is a Sour?

    A sour is a mixed drink with a base liquor, citrus juice, sweetener and sometimes egg whites. They come in many varieties.

    Are there Vodka Substitutes?

    If you want a more traditional sour cocktail, just use the same amount of whiskey.

    Do I Have to Use Egg White?

    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!

    What is the Best Glass to Serve?

    I personally like using a coupe glass, but an old fashioned whiskey glass works as well.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Use a vodka you like as the flavor comes from it.
    • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice just isn't as good.
    • You can replace the lemon juice with lime juice if you prefer.
    • 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.
    close-up of vodka sour in coupe glass

    Other Cocktails

    • two coupe glasses of Aperol sour
      Aperol Sour
    • close-up of blue mojito in glass with lime and mint
      Blue Mojito
    • two glasses of passion fruit margaritas
      Passion Fruit Margarita
    • glass of watermelon crush with mint
      Watermelon Crush

    If you’ve tried this vodka 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.

    glass of vodka sour with bottle of vodka in the background
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Vodka Sour

    With vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and an egg white, this vodka sour is a simple cocktail that is refreshingly tart.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 206kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz vodka
    • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
    • ¾ oz simple 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 lemon slice as garnish.

    Notes

    • Use a vodka you like as the flavor comes from it.
    • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice just isn't as good.
    • You can replace the lemon juice with lime juice if you prefer.
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1glass | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 15g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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