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Gin Sour Recipe

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This classic Gin Sour recipe shows you how to mix an elegant gin cocktail using just 3 simple ingredients in just 3 minutes! Perfect to enjoy as a pre or after-dinner drink, this sweet and sour gin cocktail is a must for every gin lover!

Gin sour in a sour glass garnished with a lemon twist and a cocktail cherry.
Let’s make this classic and sophisticated Gin Sour!

Why I love this recipe

This Gin Sour recipe is one for all the gin lovers out there – the simplicity of the fresh lemon and simple syrup really show off all the herbal and botanical flavors in your chosen bottle.

A typical sour cocktail follows a pretty basic formula: a spirit, a hit of sour citrus and some sugar to balance things out. It’s a classic for a reason, they just taste so good!

Related: Vodka Sour

Honestly, master how to mix a sour at home and you’ll be able to make something so fancy you won’t believe it’s not come from a bar, especially if you serve it in your best glasses with a fancy garnish.

So, let’s get ready for an at home happy hour with this easy 3-ingredient Gin Sour!

Ingredients

Gin sour ingredients on a white countertop.
This Gin Sour recipe is an easy 3-ingredient cocktail!

Here’s what you need to make a Gin Sour:

  • gin
  • lemon juice
  • superfine sugar or simple syrup

This Gin Sour cocktail recipe is — obviously — all about the gin so use your favorite bottle with flavors you love.

I’ve given the choice of using superfine sugar which should dissolve when you shake this drink hard (here is how to use a cocktail shaker if you need a good primer!) or simple syrup, whichever you have on hand. For the latter, you could even make your own!

See the printable recipe card for quantities and full recipe.

Directions

Gin being measured into a cocktail shaker.

Step 1

Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.

Pour in all the ingredients.

Two parts of a cocktail shaker fitted together.

Step 2

Shake until chilled.

Gin sour in a cocktail glass garnished with cherry and lemon.

Step 3

Strain the mixture into a sour glass.

Garnish with an orange or lemon wheel, and a maraschino cherry.

Variations

  • Add a dash of bitters – I’m a firm believer that any sophisticated cocktail like this Gin Sour recipe can only be improved with a dash of bitters!
  • Switch to lime – after a tarter drink, or you simply don’t have any lemons left in the pantry? Use lime juice instead. Depending on how sweet or sour you like your drinks, you might want to add a dash more sugar to balance things out.

Top tips

  • The key to the perfect sour is to keep everything as cold as possible. If you don’t have room in the freezer to chill the glasses an hour or so before serving, or if you’re worried your glassware might crack in the freezer sit some ice in each glass before you start mixing the cocktail to chill the glass. Then, throw it away just before straining in the drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve seen other Gin Sour recipes which include egg white. Can I add one to make a foamy top?

Sure! I know some people get nervous about using raw egg in drinks so I usually leave it out but just shake it together with the drink for that signature finish.

I don’t have any sour glasses, what other glassware would you recommend?

Try using a lowball glass — also called a rocks glass, whiskey glass or even a short tumbler.

Printable pages on top of an image of kitchen gadgets with text next to it.

More Easy Sour Recipes

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Gin sour garnished with a lemon twist and cherry.

A Classic Gin Sour for your next at home Happy Hour!

This easy 3-ingredient Gin Sour is the perfect gin cocktail to mix with your favorite bottle – the tart flavor of the fresh lemon and the sweetness of the sugar really show off the flavors in a really botanical gin.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Calories: 145kcal
Servings: 1

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
  • Pour in all the ingredients.
  • Shake well until chilled.
  • Strain the mixture into a sour glass.
  • Garnish with an orange or lemon wheel, and a maraschino cherry.

Notes

Feel free to use simple syrup instead of superfine sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.04mg
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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