Save This On Pinterest! Follow Us on Pinterest

Clean, crisp, and deceptively simple, the Vodka Sour is a masterclass in cocktail balance. While other sours feature assertive spirits like whiskey or pisco, this version uses vodka’s neutral canvas to let the bright, tangy flavor of fresh lemon shine.

When prepared with an egg white and shaken properly, this drink transforms from a simple vodka and citrus mix into a sophisticated cocktail with a rich, silky texture and a beautiful frothy cap. It’s the perfect all-occasion drink—refreshing enough for a summer afternoon, yet elegant enough for a cocktail party.

If you’re looking for a smooth, perfectly balanced, and endlessly refreshing cocktail, the classic Vodka Sour is an essential recipe to master.

Why You’ll Love It

Clean & Crisp: A bright, straightforward, and incredibly refreshing cocktail that’s never heavy or overpowering.
Perfectly Balanced: Achieves the ideal harmony between sweet, sour, and the clean bite of vodka.
Luxurious Texture: The optional-but-highly-recommended egg white creates a velvety foam and a smooth, silky mouthfeel.
A Versatile Classic: Serves as a perfect introduction to sour cocktails and acts as a great base for creative variations.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Single Cocktail (US)	Single Cocktail (Metric)
Spirit
Vodka	2 oz	60 ml
Citrus
Fresh Lemon Juice	1 oz	30 ml
Sweetener
Simple Syrup (1:1)	1 oz	30 ml
Texture
Fresh Egg White (optional)	1 large	approx. 30 ml
Garnish
Angostura Bitters	3 drops	3 drops

Ingredient Notes

Vodka: Since vodka is the star, its quality matters. Choose a high-quality, smooth vodka that you enjoy. A clean, crisp profile will produce the best results.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable. Bottled juices contain preservatives and lack the bright, zesty flavor that is crucial for balancing the drink.
Egg White: This is the secret to the cocktail’s signature foam and silky texture. It adds no flavor, only texture. If you have concerns about using raw eggs, pasteurized liquid egg whites (use 1 oz / 30 ml) are a perfect, safe substitute.
Simple Syrup: To make your own, simply combine equal parts hot water and granulated sugar (e.g., 1 cup of each) and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let it cool completely before using.

Equipment Needed

Cocktail Shaker: A Boston or cobbler shaker is required for the shaking process, especially the foam-building dry shake.
Jigger: For precise measurements, which are key to a well-balanced sour.
Hawthorne & Fine-Mesh Strainers: Double-straining will give your cocktail a professional, ultra-smooth foam.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Dry Shake: If using egg white, combine the vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker without any ice. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. This step, the “dry shake,” is essential for creating a thick, stable foam.
The Wet Shake: Open the shaker, fill it two-thirds full with ice, and seal it again. Shake for another 15-20 seconds, or until the shaker becomes intensely cold and frosted on the outside.
Strain and Serve: Double-strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled coupe or sour glass for an elegant presentation. Alternatively, strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish: Let the foam settle for a moment, then carefully dot three drops of Angostura bitters on top. Serve immediately.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The Vodka Sour is the definition of clean refreshment. The aroma is bright with lemon, with subtle spicy notes from the bitters if used.

The first sip is a textural delight, with the soft foam giving way to the silky-smooth cocktail. The flavor is a perfect, crisp balance of tart lemon and balancing sweetness, with the clean character of the vodka providing a pleasant, neutral backbone. It’s an excellent palate cleanser and a very approachable sour.

Garnishing and Presentation

How you garnish and serve a Vodka Sour can subtly change its character.

Glassware: A chilled coupe glass offers a classic, elegant look that highlights the frothy head. Serving it in a rocks glass over a large cube provides a more modern, casual feel.
Garnish: Three dots of Angostura bitters on the foam is a classic garnish that adds aromatic complexity. Alternatively, a simple lemon twist expressed over the drink to release its oils adds a bright, zesty aroma. A brandied cherry can also be used for a pop of color and sweetness.

Cocktail History and Trivia

The Vodka Sour is a modern iteration of one of the oldest and most fundamental cocktail families: the sours. The original “sour” formula (spirit, citrus, sugar) dates back to the mid-19th century, with the Whiskey Sour being its most famous member.

As vodka’s popularity surged in the mid-20th century, it was naturally substituted into classic recipes. The Vodka Sour was born as a cleaner, more neutral-tasting version of its whiskey counterpart, appealing to drinkers who preferred a less spirit-forward cocktail.

Variations & Swaps

No Egg White (Boston Sour style): Simply omit the egg white and the dry shake. Shake the vodka, lemon, and syrup with ice and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
Raspberry Vodka Sour: Muddle 4-5 fresh raspberries in the shaker before the dry shake for a beautiful color and fruity flavor.
Herbal Infusion: Shake the cocktail with a fresh sprig of rosemary, thyme, or basil for a complex, aromatic twist.
Lime Instead of Lemon: While delicious, using lime juice technically turns the drink into a variation of a Vodka Gimlet.

Batching & Dilution

For parties, the best way to serve a frothy sour is to create a base mix ahead of time.

Create the Base: In a large bottle, combine 2 cups (16 oz / 480 ml) of vodka, 1 cup (8 oz / 240 ml) of fresh lemon juice, and 1 cup (8 oz / 240 ml) of simple syrup. This base will make 8 cocktails.
Serve Individually: To make each drink, add 4 oz (120 ml) of your chilled base mix and 1 oz (30 ml) of pasteurized egg white to a shaker. Perform the dry and wet shake as directed to ensure every drink is perfectly fresh and frothy.

Serving Suggestions And Pairings

The Vodka Sour is an incredibly versatile cocktail. Its clean, crisp profile makes it a perfect apéritif to serve before a meal.

It pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods, especially light appetizers. Try it with shrimp cocktail, bruschetta with goat cheese and herbs, fresh oysters, or a simple plate of olives and mild cheeses.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

Weak Foam: The dry shake is the key to a great foam. If your foam is lacking, you either skipped it or didn’t shake vigorously enough. Also, ensure no fat (like a drop of egg yolk) contaminated the mixture.
Cocktail Tastes Flat: This is almost always due to using bottled lemon juice. The vibrant, zesty flavor of fresh-squeezed juice is absolutely essential for a great sour.
Too Sweet or Too Sour: The 2:1:1 ratio is a classic starting point, but feel free to adjust. If you prefer a tarter drink, reduce the simple syrup to ¾ oz. If you like it sweeter, increase the syrup slightly.

FAQs

What does the egg white actually do?

The egg white is a texturizing agent. It doesn’t add any flavor but is responsible for the cocktail’s thick, creamy foam and silky mouthfeel.

Why do you shake the cocktail twice?

This is the professional method for egg white cocktails. The first shake without ice (dry shake) builds a rich foam. The second shake with ice (wet shake) chills and dilutes the drink to perfection.

Do I have to use the egg white?

No, you can simply shake the vodka, lemon, and syrup with ice. You will have a delicious, crisp sour served on the rocks, but it will not have the signature frothy top and velvety texture.

What’s the best kind of vodka to use?

Since the vodka isn’t masked by other strong flavors, a smooth, high-quality vodka is recommended. Any good vodka you enjoy drinking on its own or in a Martini will work well here.

Recipe Card

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (Easy & Frothy)

Servings

cocktail

Prep time

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) Vodka
1 oz (30 ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz (30 ml) Simple Syrup (1:1)
1 large Fresh Egg White (optional, for foam)
3 drops Angostura bitters, for garnish

Directions

Dry Shake (for foam): If using egg white, add all ingredients (vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white) to a shaker WITHOUT ice. Seal and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Wet Shake: Open the shaker, add a generous amount of ice, and shake again for another 15-20 seconds until the shaker is intensely cold.
Strain: Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass or a rocks glass with fresh ice.
Garnish: Let the foam settle for a moment, then dot with 3 drops of Angostura bitters. Serve immediately.

Notes

The “dry shake” is essential for creating the cocktail’s signature silky foam. Do not skip it if you are using egg white.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is critical for the bright, balanced flavor of this cocktail.
For a completely safe option, use 1 oz (30 ml) of pasteurized liquid egg whites instead of a fresh egg.

Nutrition

ABV: Approximately 22%
Calories: 240 kcal
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 0 g
Sugar: 22 g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate. Actual values may vary. Please drink responsibly and ensure you are of legal drinking age.

Best Vodka Sour Recipe (Easy & Frothy)

Why You’ll Love It