Like many other classic gin cocktails, the gin sour relies on the aid of both sugar and lemon to provide a thirst quenching drink perfect for warm months. There are a number of these drinks that are also great for individuals who are just getting into the world of gin and are looking to become accustomed to the juniper taste found in most gins. However, unlike most gin cocktails (and cocktails in general), the gin sour contains egg white. In many ways it is the gin version of the pisco sour, only swapping in gin for pisco. The egg doesn’t do much for altering the flavor, but it does ensure the cocktail has an exceptionally frothy head that adds to the overall enjoyment of its consumption.
Most classic cocktails have traditionally started with gin. However, the gin sour is more reproduction of other popular drinks with gin rather than the gin version starting it all. Regardless, if you’ve never had a cocktail with egg white in it before you’re missing out. The gin sour can be the new cocktail to change all that.There are so many lemon and sugar gin cocktails you really have your run of the mill for selecting the right gin for your drink. This is a sweeter than most cocktail as you’re not using a simple syrup or a sweet and sour. You’re directly putting sugar into the cocktail. The sugar offsets the sour of the lemon, but still, it gives a very prominent lemonade-like taste to it. You will likely want a gin with some lemon citrus notes to it as this will help blend the two together. It keeps the gin along with a similar flavor palette while also introducing different notes on its own. Beefeater is a mellow option that still brings a citrus and juniper flavor to it. Plymouth Dry Gin can work as well, as it uses a citrus and peppery spice flavor. It really depends what you like with your lemonade flavor.
Gin Sour - The Perfect Classic Recipe
Prep time
3 Minutes
Serves
1
DESCRIPTION
Most classic cocktails have traditionally started with gin. However, the gin sour is more reproduction of other popular drinks with gin rather than the gin version starting it all. Regardless, if you’ve never had a cocktail with egg white in it before you’re missing out. The gin sour can be the new cocktail to change all that.
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz London dry gin
2 tsp Superfine sugar
2 Large egg whites
2 tbsp Lemon juice
Lemon twist
Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
To make the gin sour you’ll want to fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all the ingredients (except the lemon twist). Shake hard. The harder you shake the frothier the egg white will become (think of it like making whipped cream and the better the cream is beaten the thicker it becomes).
Strain the contents into a rocks glass and add the lemon twist on top to complete.
NUTRITION FACTS
calories - 247
carbohydrate - 5.09g
fat - 0.14g
protein - 8g
sugar - 5g
Best Gin For a Gin Sour
There are so many lemon and sugar gin cocktails you really have your run of the mill for selecting the right gin for your drink. This is a sweeter than most cocktail as you’re not using a simple syrup or a sweet and sour. You’re directly putting sugar into the cocktail. The sugar offsets the sour of the lemon, but still, it gives a very prominent lemonade-like taste to it. You will likely want a gin with some lemon citrus notes to it as this will help blend the two together. It keeps the gin along with a similar flavor palette while also introducing different notes on its own. Beefeater is a mellow option that still brings a citrus and juniper flavor to it. Plymouth Dry Gin can work as well, as it uses a citrus and peppery spice flavor. It really depends what you like with your lemonade flavor.
Now, if you’re just getting into the world of gin, going out and buying a full bottle of a half-dozen gins does become expensive just to sample which gins work best for you. If there are no gin sample classes or events going on the next best option is to pick up either the single serving gins or select the smaller half-pint gin bottles (when available). While some of the smaller batch gins are not available in these bottles you can at least pick up a handful and then sample each. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of the flavor palette.
When sampling the gin don’t simply shoot the spirit. Breathe it in so you can warm up to it, then let the gin circulate throughout your mouth. Often the tip of your tongue will put out different flavors from the back of your tongue. The gin will also open up at different temperatures. Taste testing gins is by far the best way to discover your personal connection. There will be some gins that speak to you. From there it will be much easier to determine which gin to pick up for your gin sour (and other cocktails).
Gin Sour Variations
The gin sour variations will present you with a number of added flavor options that build off of the lemon. You can also add the egg white or leave it out, depending on what you’re interested in. While the cocktail is best served with the egg white as it adds the exceptional head few cocktails have, there may be some who are put off by the inclusion of egg. So feel free to remove the egg white whenever needed.
Elderflower Gin Sour
The elderflower gin sour brings another botanical liqueur to the mix. St. Germain Liqueur can blend beautifully with the gin. However, as this is a very specific botanical burst of elderflower you’ll want a gin that complements it (and doesn’t attempt to compete). Hendrick’s works with this, as does a Beefeater. This is where really knowing your gins will come in handy for pairing with the elderflower.
This is another floral botanical version of the gin sour is the hibiscus gin sour. It also has a beautiful color to it. You’ll want to select a floral dry gin to best create this cocktail, which will be added to hibiscus tea syrup. Essentially, you’re making simple syrup while allowing hibiscus tea flower to soak in the water as the sugar dissolves. You can pick up dried hibiscus tea flowers at most health food stores or large upscale grocery chains. The combination really is exceptional and may easily become a favorite gin sour.
Have you been looking for a way to introduce red wine into your cocktails? If so the wait is over with the New Amsterdam Sour. This cocktail removes the egg white and the gin and replaced it with genever and red wine. So it is fundamentally different from your everyday gin sour cocktails, but that is part of the fun. It’s at least worth experimenting with (especially if you have a bottle of red wine you’ve been looking to use).
This is a cocktail that not only brings in an additional layer of freshness with the basil, but the black pepper is a perfect ingredient addition if you’re using a gin that already contains spice (such as a Plymouth Dry Gin). The basil and black pepper gin sour keeps the egg white, but it also includes the basil leaves (torn up to open up the aromatics of the leaf), black pepper and heavy cream. So this cocktail is going to be heavier than your standard gin sour. Feel free to remove the heavy cream if you’d like, but it’s worth trying both versions out to see which you like the best.
If you’re looking for even more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our cocktail section on the website for even more delicious drink ideas. Happy sipping!
3 Minutes
1