Gin Sour Cocktail

If you are looking for the best gin sour recipe, you just found it. This classic cocktail is made with gin, fresh lemon, simple syrup, and egg white for a smooth and creamy texture. This 5-ingredient recipe is a must-make for any happy hour.

about this gin sour recipe

Looking for a cocktail that’ll make you feel fancy AF? Meet the gin sour – it’s like a grown-up lemonade that’s dressed up for a night out.

The magic is in the egg white (trust me on this). It creates this silky, cloud-like foam that makes every sip feel luxurious. When you shake it all together, the drink transforms into something that looks as impressive as it tastes – all creamy and velvety with that signature frothy top.

The botanical notes from the gin shine through without overpowering, while the lemon adds just enough brightness. No need for fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients – just good gin, fresh citrus, and a willingness to shake your arms off for that perfect foam.

Fair warning: once you start making these at home, ordering them at a bar won’t hit the same.

what is a gin sour?

The gin sour is one of the most elegant yet straightforward cocktails in the sour family, alongside classics like the whiskey sour, margarita, daiquiri, and sidecar. It’s a simple blend of gin, citrus, simple syrup, and a frothy egg white.

ingredients

gin. Use your favorite gin! We usually use Hendricks Gin (especially their Neptunia Gin) and The Botanist. Empress 1908 is another one of my favorites, but it will change the color since it’s purple!

lemon. You will need about 1/2 a lemon for each cocktail. Don’t have lemons? Use lime juice to make something closer to a gimlet-gin sour hybrid!

simple syrup. Pick it up at your local grocery or liquor store, or make it at home! We have a complete post on how to make simple syrup on the site.

egg. One fresh egg white is an optional ingredient. Do not use egg whites that are sold in a carton.

bitters. You will need aromatic bitters for this recipe. We prefer to use Angostura bitters.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this classic cocktail, you will need a cocktail shaker (we like a Boston shaker), jigger, and cocktail strainer.

We like to serve out drinks in coupe glasses or double old fashioned glasses, depending on what you have on hand.

Raw Egg Warning: Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk for food-borne illness.

here’s how to make a classic gin sour

shake

Combine gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white (if using), and bitters in an empty shaker. Shake vigorously to get the egg nice and foamy.

add ice

Fill the shaker with ice, then shake again for about 20 to 30 seconds until chilled through.

strain

Strain into a cocktail glass (chilled if possible!). Serve.

tips and tricks

use fresh eggs. For the best flavor, be sure to use a fresh egg. Never use pasteurized egg whites that are sold in a container/carton.

adjust to your taste. Add more sugar if you don’t like your gin sour too sour. You can also amp up the sour flavor by adding a bit more fresh lemon juice.

garnish options. While we don’t usually garnish this drink, you can do so with a few drips of aromatic bitters or a lemon twist.

More sour cocktails to try: Cherry Amaretto Sour | Disaronno Sour | Boston Sour | Cherry Bourbon Sour | Bee’s Knees

why should I use an egg white?

The egg white adds a creaminess to the drink and helps balance out the sour flavor of the drink itself. That silky, fluffy foam on top is one of the highlights of the drink, so it’s recommended to include it! It makes the drink decadent and indulgent.

do I have to include the egg white?

You can omit the egg white if you prefer!

how many lemons do I need to make one drink?

To make one drink, you will need one half of a lemon. A typical lemon has about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 ounces of juice. We just use a half a lemon, then adjust the drink if it tastes too sour by adding a dash more of simple syrup.

Make sure that you use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled juice as it tends to be too sour.

Need some inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a gin sour

When it comes to serving a gin sour, we usually go with something that compliments lemon, like fish dishes, pasta, and fried, salty foods.

Baked crab cakes are the ideal appetizer pairing in our book! If you need something easy and quick, try these air fryer ravioli or crispy cheese croquettes.

For dinner, bucatini cacio e pepe with broccoli is a classic.

more tasty gin cocktails to sip on

A gin and ginger ale cocktail, also called a Gin Buck, is simple, flavorful, and only two ingredients.

This gin sling is a classic drink with a touch of bitters for just the right balance.

If you love adding herbs to your cocktail like I do, try a gin basil smash with only 5 ingredients!

A 2-ingredient pink gin cocktail is as simple as it gets and really highlights the gin flavors.

This gin martini is a classic and easily served anytime of year!

Finally, if you make this gin sour recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter to get them straight to your inbox!