Cherry Vodka Sour

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Frothy, sweet and with a nice little sting on each sip, the Vodka Cherry Sour is the perfect tasty tipple on a sultry Friday night.

The higher I climbed, the harder the ice-cold and frigid winds bit into my face. The goggles I wore, well, they did nothing. In fact, they had become so fogged up and encrusted with snow that I was more blind with them than without. But I was almost at the summit of this mysterious and deadly mountain… the one place in all existence where the answers could be found. It was close. Not only could I feel it in my soul and in my bones, but also in my aching arms and legs. My muscles burned with each step, and the swing of my ice axe had slowed after hours of ascension.

Suddenly, I had reached the top. Rolling over onto the summit, I turned my gaze upward to discover a set of ornately carved stairs, continuing up into the clouds. Had I died and gone to heaven? And if I did, would I still be this exhausted? No. My journey was not over. I hoisted myself to my feet and began to trudge up the massive marble steps toward who knows where. After another hour, I reached a long, cloud-capped hall, surrounded by pillars. At the end of it, in front of a breathtaking view of the world below, sat a tiny and wizened little woman. I fell to my knees and croaked out the question I had long been pining to ask and have answered.

“Who invented the Cherry Vodka Sour? Not the Sour style itself, but that specific drink? Please… I must know…”

She sat in silence for a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. Finally, she looked me square in the eye and asked a question of her own in a dusty, ancient tone.

“You came all the way up here to ask that?”

I nodded, desperate. She shook her head.

“Bad news, bucko, I have no idea. Nobody does. Seriously, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. But now I want one, so thanks a lot. We don’t have any vodka up here, either, so great job making my life frustrating. And why didn’t you take the elevator?”

She pointed to a comfy and large lift, off in the corner. Why didn’t I take the elevator…

Excellent question.

What Is A Sour?

Sours are one of the easiest and most versatile cocktails that you can make. They’re comprised of a base spirit, like vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, the list goes on and on, and lemon or lime juice with simple syrup. Oftentimes, egg white is added to bring a frothy and foamy texture to the top of the drink, giving some extra smoothness with each sip. This type of drink can be traced back to the 1600s when sailors combined rum and lime to fight scurvy, and the first official recorded mention of the Sour itself was in 1856.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Cherry Vodka Sour?

You can go with a cherry-flavored vodka, or an unflavored variety when making this cocktail for yourself. I tend to go with the plain option, as I like letting the other ingredients do the flavor work. This allows the vodka to cut through the citrusy, tart notes from the lemon and simple syrup. If you’d like a sweeter, more full-bodied tipple, then a cherry vodka will be the fun way to mix.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Fill a rocks glass with ice once you’re ready to pour and serve your Cherry Vodka Sour. Garnish with a maraschino cherry on a cocktail skewer and place it across the top, or directly into your drink.

DO YOU HAVE TO DRY SHAKE WITH EGG WHITE?

Professional mixologists will tell you that you should shake your cocktail and egg white without ice for at least ten seconds before adding any ice and proceeding like usual. This emulsifies the egg white, which gives your cocktail a frothy, cream-like top.

Other Sours Worth Trying

As I mentioned above, Sours are simple, flexible and very, very delicious. Last summer, I grabbed a bottle of High West bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice and some homemade Simple Syrup and indulged in Bourbon Sours all day. I ended up having to stay the night at my buddy’s house, because honestly, that was a lot. But it also goes to show just how good these tart and sweet treats can be when you whip up a few perfectly balanced drams.

• Paloma Sour – Two classics for the price of one. Make sure you try this drink on your next vacation.
• New York Sour – Some red wine adds an extra dimension to this Big Apple-inspired Sour.
• Pisco Sour – The Peruvian liquor helps make this elixir a popular one.
• Whiskey Sour – Make sure you don’t miss out on trying one of the most classic versions of the legendary Sour.