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Published: Oct 2, 2019 · Modified: Apr 1, 2021 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Best Vodka Sour Recipe

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The classic Vodka Sour is simple to make and to drink! With a short and sweet ingredient list, this vodka cocktail is made for easy sipping!!

2 vodka sour's in rocks glasses with a lemon slice and cherry garnish.

Vodka Sour Drink

Vodka is incredibly versatile. With it's clean, neutral flavor, it's pretty much a blank canvas! From thirst-quenching drinks like a Moscow Mule to a more sophisticated drink like the Cosmopolitan, vodka is one of my "go-to" liquors when making cocktails!

So despite having over 12 vodka cocktails in the archives... I didn't have a Vodka Sour recipe.

So it was definitely time to rectify that! And I'm hoping you'll be as happy about it as I am!

What's in a Vodka Sour?

Like all sour cocktails, the formula is pretty simple - liquor+lemon or lime juice + a sweetener. So, for this drink, you'll need:

  • Vodka - since this cocktail has such a short ingredient list, opt for a smooth vodka. Grey Goose, Sipsmith or Snow Leopard (my personal favorite!) are all good choices!
  • Fresh Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice has a much brighter flavor than bottled so use fresh!
  • Simple syrup

TIP:

A homemade sour mix is a great substitute for lemon juice and simple syrup!

close up of the vodka sour with a plate of the recipe ingredients in the background.

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How to Make A Vodka Sour

Making a sour drink couldn't be easier!

  1. Combine the vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Place the tin on top and shake for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker tin is frosty!
  4. Strain over ice into a rocks glass OR serve straight up (no ice) in a cocktail glass!
  5. Garnish with a lemon and Luxardo cherry if desired.

If you've never shaken a cocktail, here's my latest video to show you how!

Cherry Vodka Sour & Other Variations

If you haven't guessed by now, this basic cocktail recipe is tailor-made for variations! You can swap lime juice for lemon, and replace the simple syrup with a flavored syrup like maple or grenadine. Or (my personal favorite!) add a liqueur - Triple Sec or Elderflower liqueur would be delicious!

Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

One of the most popular variations of the vodka sour is the Cherry Vodka Sour. It's really just a standard vodka sour with the addition of grenadine.

How to make a Cherry Vodka Sour

To make it:

  1. Add the vodka, lemon juice, ¾ oz. of simple syrup, ¼ oz. grenadine and 3 dashes of angostura bitters to the cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Shake the cocktail for 10 -15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass or a coupe.
  4. Garnish with a cherry and fresh mint if desired.
Close up of the Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe in a cocktail glass garnished with a cherry and mint.

Other Sour Cocktails you may enjoy!

  • Tamarind Margarita - possibly one of the best Margarita cocktail recipes I've ever tried!
  • The BEST Margarita on the Rocks Recipe - truly the best, classic margarita ever!
  • Gin Gimlet - this one uses Botanist gin!!

Other Vodka Cocktails for Vodka Drink Lovers!

  • Grey Goose Martini - the classic cocktail with a little twist!
  • Vodka and Cranberry - the classic Cape Cod gets a simple update!
  • Key Lime Martini - This one is perfectly balanced!
  • White Russian - for all you Pumpkin Spice lovers!!

📖Recipe

Vodka Sour Recipe

Simple, sweet and sour, the classic Vodka Sour is meant for easy sipping! With infinite variations, it's definitely a vodka recipe you want in your collection.
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Course: cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 462kcal
Author: Nancy Buchanan

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Vodka
  • 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 lemon slice optional
  • 1 cocktail cherry optional

Cherry Vodka Sour

  • 2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ oz. simple syrup
  • ¼ oz. grenadine
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 cocktail cherry optional
  • 1 sprig mint optional

Instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and angostura bitters.
  • Add Ice to the shaker and close.
  • Shake for 10 - 15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice and a cocktail cherry if desired.

Cherry Vodka Sour

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, grenadine and angostura bitters.
  • Add ice to the shaker and close.
  • Shake for 10-15 seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with a cherry on a pick if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 74mg | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 166IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily says

    April 01, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    5 stars
    Love this!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      April 03, 2020 at 11:42 am

      Hi Emily,

      Thank you so much for letting me know!!!

      Reply
  2. GrannyK says

    August 06, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    I’ve never made a vodka sour with angostura bitters before so I gave it a try. Way too much bitters. I may try it again with one dash but most likely I’ll go back to leaving them out. I also found it it to be too sweet but maybe my lemons weren’t vey sour this time around.

    Reply
  3. garry cucci says

    January 21, 2024 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    Just a wonderful site to visit

    Reply
3.96 from 25 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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