Gin sour

Gin Sour

(1 ratings)

A classic sour cocktail featuring gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup, elevated with egg white for a silky texture and rich foam.

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Coupe Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (130ml)
  • London Dry Gin 
    50 ml
  • Lemon Juice 
    25 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1) 
    20 ml
  • Egg White 
    1 whole
  • Saline Solution 
    2 drops
  • Lemon Peel 
    1 twist

Instructions

Step

Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice while preparing the cocktail.

Step

In a cocktail shaker, combine 50ml gin, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 20ml simple syrup, 1 egg white, and optional saline solution.

Step

Perform a dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 30-60 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.

Step

Add ice to the shaker and shake hard again for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute the cocktail.

Step

Discard ice from the chilled glass and double strain the cocktail through both the shaker strainer and fine mesh strainer.

Step

Express the lemon twist over the drink to release oils, then drop it in as garnish.

Equipment

Shaker
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger
Citrus juicer

Description

The Gin Sour is a refined classic that balances botanical gin flavors with tart citrus and smooth sweetness. The addition of egg white creates a luxurious, creamy texture with a beautiful foam cap that makes this cocktail both visually striking and texturally sophisticated.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (130ml)
Calories
165
ABV
27 %
Alcohol
14 g
Carbs
8 g
Carbs from Sugar
8 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
2 g
Sodium
15 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Egg

Tips & Notes

  • Always dry shake first without ice to maximize foam formation from the egg white, then shake with ice to chill.

  • Use fresh lemon juice only - bottled juice lacks the brightness and acidity needed for a proper sour.

  • Double strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove ice chips and ensure a silky smooth texture.

  • If concerned about raw eggs, use pasteurized egg whites or substitute with aquafaba for a vegan version.

  • Adjust simple syrup to taste - start with 15ml and add more if needed, as lemon acidity can vary.

Yes, you can omit the egg white, but you’ll lose the creamy texture and foam cap. For a vegan alternative, use 20ml aquafaba (chickpea liquid) which creates similar foam.

London Dry Gin is traditional and works excellently, but Old Tom Gin provides a slightly sweeter, rounder profile that some prefer in sours. Avoid heavily flavored gins that might compete with the citrus.

You should hear the liquid becoming thicker and more viscous during the dry shake. After 30-60 seconds of vigorous shaking, the mixture should feel heavier and sound different when shaken.

While you can pre-mix the gin, lemon juice, and syrup, the egg white component is best added and shaken individually for each serving to maintain proper foam and texture.

Related Citrus, Herbal, Sour cocktails

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White Lady

A classic gin sour featuring gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice, creating an elegant and balanced cocktail with bright citrus notes.

White lady

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • London Dry Gin
    50 ml
  • Lemon Juice
    25 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1)
    20 ml
  • Egg White
    1 whole
  • Saline Solution
    2 drops
  • Lemon Peel
    1 twist

Method

  1. Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice while preparing the cocktail.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 50ml gin, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 20ml simple syrup, 1 egg white, and optional saline solution.
  3. Perform a dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 30-60 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.
  4. Add ice to the shaker and shake hard again for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute the cocktail.
  5. Discard ice from the chilled glass and double strain the cocktail through both the shaker strainer and fine mesh strainer.
  6. Express the lemon twist over the drink to release oils, then drop it in as garnish.