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    Home » Cocktails » Easy Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    Published: Feb 16, 2023 · Updated: Feb 16, 2023 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Easy Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bright pink cherry vodka sour cocktail with lemon slice garnish.
    Text - Cherry Vodka Sour with a woman adding a lemon slice to the side of a cocktail glass holding a pink drink.

    This Cherry Vodka Sour recipe is sweet, tart and totally delicious with just 3-ingredients. If you love easy vodka recipes, this one with a bright pink color is perfect to serve for girl's nights, bridal showers, or any cocktail party. Best of all, it's ready in under 5 minutes.

    Pink cocktail in a glass with a lemon garnish on a table.
    Let's make this Cherry Vodka Sour recipe with fresh lemon and grenadine.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this Cherry Vodka Sour
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More easy cocktail recipes
    • Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    Why you'll love this Cherry Vodka Sour

    This Cherry Vodka Sour takes just a few minutes to make and a cocktail shaker. This fun bright pink drink color and yummy taste will really please a crowd.

    I love to make cocktails at home. I especially love to make easy recipes that use just a few ingredients but taste amazing.

    If you also love to make quick and easy cocktail recipes that don't require any special skills or fancy mixologist tricks, this vodka sour recipe is for you.

    Related: Slushie Vodka Sunrise

    A classic vodka sour is a drink recipe that I've jazzed up with some cherry flavor. The tart flavors come from fresh lemon juice and sweet grenadine.

    It's an easy drink to serve for all your parties or any time you need a tasty vodka cocktail.

    Ingredient Notes

    Labeled ingredients to make a cherry vodka sour recipe.
    What you need to make this cherry vodka drink.

    You can use any type of vodka in this recipe. I had Smirnoff in my cupboard so I grabbed it. But if you have a favorite brand you can use that.

    My rule of thumb for choosing liquor is to pick something that you would tolerate drinking on its own. I don't suggest you break the bank, but also don't choose something that is just terrible.

    Fresh lemon juice is essential. It cuts through the sweetness of the cherry grenadine syrup and is the perfect sour component for this recipe.

    Bottled lemon juice would not be the same. And you wouldn't want to use pre-bought sour mix since that has sweetness included and it would be entirely too sweet with the grenadine.

    You also wouldn't want to use Triple Sec as it doesn't have the brightness of fresh lemon.

    You could use lime juice for a slightly different flavor. It would kind of taste like a cherry limeade.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    I like to provide step-by-step instructions so you can easily recreate these cocktails at home. I realize that some people won't need this much detail but I like to put it just in case.

    Pouring vodka into a cocktail shaker.

    Step 1

    To a cocktail shaker, add the vodka.

    Adding grenadine to a cocktail shaker.

    Step 2

    Add the grenadine.

    Adding lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.

    Step 3

    Add the fresh lemon juice.

    Adding ice to a cocktail shaker.

    Step 4

    Add ice cubes to the cocktail shaker.

    Woman shaking a cocktail in a cocktail shaker.

    Step 5

    Shake well.

    Step 6

    Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon wedge or slice.

    You can add ice cubes to your cocktail glass or not.

    You could also rim the glass with a sugar rim if you prefer. Since it's already very sweet, it might push you over the edge if you aren't into super sweet things.

    Tips and Tricks

    • To get the most juice out of your lemon, you can use my favorite citrus squeezer. If the lemon feels hard to start, you can microwave it for about 10 seconds then roll it on the counter, pressing down with the heel of your hand.
    • You can use something other than vodka for this recipe! A Whiskey Sour is also a popular drink idea. And don't forget an Amaretto Sour.
    • Want to go a little lighter on the liquor? You can cut it back to 1 ounce or an ounce and a half if you prefer.
    • This would also be delicious topped with a splash of club soda to make it a little fizzy.
    • You can easily make this into a larger batch. Just change the serving amounts in the recipe card.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make your own sour mix?

    Yes. You can make your own sour mix if you prefer, however, sour mix is fresh lemon and simple syrup. I think that is too sweet when paired with the grenadine. But if you like things really sweet, you can use homemade sour mix.

    What glass do I use for a Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail?

    Typically sour cocktails are served in a rocks glass or Old Fashioned glass. But I've also seen them served in a collins glass. I served mine in a stemless margarita glass because I think they look cool. I'm a big proponent of using what you already have.

    What vodka should I use?

    Use your favorite vodka. If you don't have a brand that you prefer, I suggest Tito's. It's a great value and delicious taste.

    Can you use maraschino cherry juice instead of grenadine?

    In a pinch, you could use maraschino cherry juice but it is a mild flavor. A better substitute is pomegranate juice with simple syrup.

    A glass on a cloth napkin on a table with a bright pink cocktail in it.

    This easy Cherry Vodka Sour recipe is tangy and sweet and a fun cocktail to serve whenever you want a fun drink.

    More easy cocktail recipes

    • 2 ingredient cocktails
    • Cherry Lemonade Rum Cocktail
    • Sweet and Sour Cherry Fun Dip Mixed Drink
    • Tequila Sour Cocktail
    • Fireball Sour Recipe
    • Summer Strawberry Whiskey Sour
    Cocktail glass with a bright pink cocktail and lemon garnish on a pink and white napkin.

    Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    This 3-ingredient Cherry Vodka Sour recipe is quick and easy and full of sweet and tangy flavor! The bright pink color makes this a perfect party cocktail.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 110kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker

    Ingredients

    • 1 ounces vodka
    • 1 ounce lemon juice fresh
    • ½ ounce grenadine syrup

    Instructions

    • To a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, grenadine and lemon juice.
    • Shake well.
    • Stain into a cocktail glass.
    • Garnish and enjoy!

    Notes

    • To get the most juice out of your lemon, you can use my favorite citrus squeezer. If the lemon feels hard to start, you can microwave it for about 10 seconds then roll it on the counter, pressing down with the heel of your hand.
    • You can use something other than vodka for this recipe! A Whiskey Sour is also a popular drink idea. And don't forget an Amaretto Sour.
    • Want to go a little lighter on the liquor? You can cut it back to 1 ounce or an ounce and half if you prefer.
    • This would also be delicious topped with a splash of club soda to make it a little fizzy.
    • You can easily make this into a larger batch. Just change the serving amounts in the recipe card above.
    • You can serve this drink over ice if you prefer. 
    • Rim the cocktail glass in sugar before adding the drink for an extra fun (and extra sweet) presentation. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.03mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

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