The Classic Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe

The Classic Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe

Oh, the gin sour, that perfectly puckered, delightfully zingy drink that's been charming drinkers since the 1800s. It's tart, it's refreshing, and it's proof that sometimes the simplest things in life (gin, citrus, sugar) create the most spectacular results. Think of it as a cocktail, like a crisp white shirt: classic, elegant, and always appropriate. Whether you're hosting a summer soirée or just treating yourself after a long day, this gin sour cocktail is your new best friend.

With Liquor Loot, you can explore a broad range of spirits online in Australia from around the world, so buy gin from your favourite brand and get ready to shake things up with a perfect cocktail recipe.

About the Gin Sour

The gin sour isn’t just another cocktail; it’s got real history behind it. It’s part of the old-school “sour” family, which goes way back in bartending. Jerry Thomas first wrote down the sour formula in his 1862 book, The Bartender’s Guide: take a spirit, add citrus and sugar, and you’re set. Most people know the Whiskey Sour, but the Gin Sour variations showed up later as the more elegant, botanical cousin, especially when gin started booming in the late 1800s.

When Prohibition hit, people leaned on gin sours to cover up the rough taste of bathtub gin. After the ban was lifted in 1933, the drink stuck around, but got a makeover. Bartenders started adding egg white, which some call the “Boston Sour” twist, which gave the drink this smooth, silky foam on top. What really makes the gin sour stand out, though, is how the gin’s herbal, citrusy notes play off the fresh lemon juice. It’s a simple recipe, but it nails that all-important balance: strong, sour, and sweet. That balance is what every good bartender learns first. The gin sour cocktails aren’t just a classic; they’re the jumping-off point for all sorts of new drinks.

Best Types of Gin for Your Gin Sour

Choosing the right gin can elevate your gin sour variations from good to exceptional. Here's a guide to different gin styles and how they fit best for the criteria. Buy gin online right here and enjoy the versatility in every fine bottle.

London Dry Gin

The classic choice for traditional gin sours. Juniper-forward with crisp botanicals, it creates a perfectly balanced drink. Brands like Sipsmith, Ford and Four Pillars are reliable favourites that let the sour structure shine.

Navy Strength Gin

Higher alcohol content (57% ABV) adds bold intensity and stands up beautifully to the citrus. Perfect for those who want a punchy, robust cocktail. Try distilleries like Never Never, Adelaide Hills 78 Degrees, and Karu.

Contemporary/New Western Gin

Less juniper-focused with emphasis on floral, citrus, or herbal notes. Hendrick's (cucumber and rose) or The Botanist create unique, aromatic gin sour ingredients combinations. Reduce sugar slightly, as these can be sweeter.

Barrel-Aged Gin

Adds whiskey-like warmth and oak complexity to your gin sour cocktail. Creates a richer, amber-hued drink that bridges gin and whiskey sours beautifully.

Flavoured Gin

Raspberry, rhubarb, or citrus gins work wonderfully but require sugar adjustments. Start with 15ml syrup and taste; these gins often bring their own sweetness to the mix.

How to Make a Gin Sour

Once you master the Gin Sour, you can make a whole swathe of drinks. By using the same structure of the drink (gin - lemon/lime juice - sugar) in perfect ratios, with just one or two minor tweaks, you have a completely different drink! Add soda, and you have a Tom Collins. Add mint, and you have a Southside. Swap sugar for Cointreau, and you have a White Lady. Before you shake one up, browse our gin collection to find the perfect base for your cocktail.

Ingredients

• 60ml Gin (choose a quality London Dry or your favourite botanical gin)

• 30ml Fresh Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed, please, bottled stuff just won't cut it)

• 20ml Sugar Syrup (also called simple syrup: equal parts sugar and water)

• 1 Egg White (optional, but highly recommended for that gorgeous frothy top)

• Ice Cubes (for shaking)

• Lemon Peel (for garnish)

• Angostura Bitters (optional, just a few dashes on top for visual flair)

Method

Step 1: Chill Your Glass  

Grab your favourite glass, rocks or coupe, and keep it in the freezer for about five minutes. A nicely chilled glass keeps your gin sour colder, longer, and honestly, it just looks cool.

Step 2: Dry Shake (If You’re Using Egg White)  

Pour in the gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white, but leave the ice out for now. Seal it up and shake it hard for 15 seconds. This gets the egg white all nice and foamy without watering anything down.

Step 3: Wet Shake  

Now, toss in a big handful of ice and shake again, another 15 to 20 seconds. You want everything freezing cold. This is where all those gin sour ingredients come together in perfect harmony. and starts tasting like a proper gin sour.

Step 4: Strain and Pour  

Grab your Hawthorne strainer and pour the cocktail into your chilled glass. If you’re using a rocks glass, throw in some fresh ice first. Want to go fancy? Strain it straight into a coupe or martini glass, no ice needed.

Step 5: Garnish Like You Mean It  

Twist a lemon peel over the drink to release those zesty aromas, then drop it in or balance it on the rim. If you used egg white, dot the foam with a few drops of Angostura bitters and drag a cocktail stick through them for a minimal aesthetic.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy  

Take a second to admire your mixing skills. Maybe snap a photo, then sip and enjoy your gin sour.

Equipment Checklist

• Cocktail Shaker

• Hawthorne Strainer

• Jigger (for accurate measuring)

• Citrus Juicer

• Cocktail Stick (for bitters art, if you're feeling fancy)

Love mixing drinks at home? Explore our extensive range of spirits collection for more cocktail-worthy options.

Food Pairings

Gin sour cocktails play beautifully with food, thanks to their bright acidity and botanical notes. Here are some winning combinations:

• Seafood Delights: Fresh oysters, smoked salmon canapés, or prawn cocktails complement the citrusy zing perfectly.

• Cheese Boards: Pair with tangy goat cheese, aged cheddar, or creamy brie; the acidity cuts through rich, fatty cheeses beautifully.

• Light Appetisers: Think bruschetta, ceviche, or Mediterranean mezze plates with hummus and olives.

• Citrus-Based Desserts: Lemon tart, key lime pie, or lemon posset create a harmonious citrus celebration.

• Herb-Crusted Dishes: Rosemary focaccia, herb-roasted chicken, or pesto pasta echo the gin's botanical notes.

Bartender's Top Tips

• Flavoured gins can work exceptionally well in Gin Sours. Just make sure that if it has some sweetness to reduce the amount of sugar syrup you add (to taste). A raspberry gin, for example, might need only 15ml of sugar syrup instead of the full 20ml. Taste as you go; you can always add more sweetness, but you can't take it away.

• A Gin Sour works amazingly well in a cocktail glass (martini glass) without ice, as well as in a rocks glass with ice. Just remember to chill your glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before you fill it, to keep your drink colder and fresher for longer. The no-ice gin sour recipe looks more sophisticated for special occasions, while the rocks glass version is perfect for casual sipping.

• If you use egg white to create a fluffy texture, make sure you squeeze the lemon peel over the top to give a pleasant citrusy aroma. This aromatic garnish adds an extra layer of sensory pleasure and makes your drink smell as good as it tastes. The oils from the peel sit beautifully on that foam layer.

• If you are vegan, but still want all the benefits of fluffy egg white, use aquafaba (the brine from tinned chickpeas) instead. Use about 30ml aquafaba per cocktail; it froths up just as beautifully, and no one will know the difference. You can even make gin sour variations with flavoured aquafaba for a unique twist.

• Fresh is best, always. Never use bottled lemon juice. The difference in flavour is night and day. Fresh juice makes a bright, vibrant sour gin, while bottled juice tastes flat and artificial.

• Adjust the sweetness to your gin. Some gins are more floral and delicate, others are bold and juniper-forward. A sweeter, more floral gin might need less sugar syrup, while a classic juniper-heavy London Dry can handle the full 20ml. Taste and adjust, bartending is about personal preference!

Want to level up your home bar experience? Our gifts include Advent Calendars featuring gins, whiskies, and more, perfect for experimenting without committing to full bottles.

FAQs

1. What's the difference between a Gin Sour and a Whiskey Sour?

Simply the base spirit! Both follow the same classic sour formula (spirit + citrus + sugar), but gin brings botanical, juniper notes while whiskey adds warmth and mellowness. Both are delicious, just different personalities.

2. Do I really need to use egg white?

Not at all! The egg white is entirely optional. It adds a luxurious, silky texture and that Instagram-worthy foam on top, but the drink is still delicious without it. If you skip it, just do a regular shake with ice.

3. Can I make Gin Sours ahead of time?

You can pre-mix the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup, but don't add egg white or ice until you're ready to serve. Shake fresh for each drink to get the proper concentration and temperature. Pre-batched cocktails lose their sparkle.

4. What's the best gin to use?

A good London Dry gin is the classic choice, but feel free to experiment! Modern styles add cucumber notes, flavoured gins bring complexity, and Navy Strength gins add extra punch.

5. How do I make sugar syrup?

It's ridiculously easy! Combine equal parts white sugar and hot water (e.g., 200g sugar to 200ml water), stir until dissolved, cool, and store in the fridge for up to a month. Done.

6. My cocktail is too sour/too sweet, what to do?

The beauty of how to make a gin sour is that it's easily adjustable. Too sour? Add another 5ml of sugar syrup. Too sweet? Add a splash more lemon juice. Shake again with fresh ice and taste until it's perfect for your palate.

And there you have it, everything you need to know about crafting the perfect gin sour. This classic cocktail proves that you don't need a cabinet full of high-end ingredients to create something truly special. Just quality gin, fresh citrus, and a little technique. Whether you're new to sour gin recipes or a seasoned home bartender, the gin sour cocktail recipe rewards you every single time.

So grab your shaker, squeeze those lemons, and get mixing. Your new signature drink awaits. And remember, the best cocktail is the one you're drinking right now, preferably on a sunny afternoon with good friends and even better conversation. Cheers!