Trinidad sour

Trinidad Sour

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A bold modern classic that daringly uses Angostura bitters as the primary ingredient, balanced with orgeat syrup and lemon juice.

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Coupe Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (150ml)
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters 
    45 ml
  • Orgeat Syrup 
    30 ml
  • Lemon Juice 
    22.5 ml
  • Rye Whiskey 
    15 ml
  • Egg White 
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel 
    1 twist
Recipe credit: Giuseppe González (2009)

Instructions

Step

Add Angostura bitters, orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and rye whiskey to cocktail shaker. If using egg white, add it now.

Step

If using egg white, perform a dry shake (without ice) first for 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.

Step

Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.

Step

Double strain through Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into chilled coupe glass.

Step

Garnish with lemon twist if desired, expressing oils over the drink before dropping in.

Equipment

Shaker
Jigger
Hawthorne Strainer
Fine Mesh Strainer

Description

The Trinidad Sour is a revolutionary cocktail that breaks conventional rules by featuring Angostura bitters as the star ingredient rather than a supporting player. Created by Giuseppe González in 2009, this modern classic delivers an intensely aromatic and complex drinking experience that challenges the palate with its bold spice-forward profile balanced by sweet almond notes and bright citrus acidity.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (150ml)
Calories
165
ABV
18.5 %
Alcohol
22 g
Carbs
16 g
Carbs from Sugar
14 g
Fat
0.5 g
Protein
1.2 g
Sodium
8 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Egg, Nuts

Tips & Notes

  • Don't reduce the Angostura bitters quantity - the full 45ml is essential for the drink's unique character and balance.

  • Use high-quality orgeat syrup with orange blossom water for the best floral complexity - cheap orgeat will make the drink overly sweet.

  • Always freshly squeeze your lemon juice - bottled juice lacks the brightness needed to balance the intense bitters.

  • Chill your glassware beforehand to maintain the drink's temperature and enhance the aromatics.

  • Add 2-3 drops of saline solution to round out the flavors and enhance the complexity of all ingredients.

The Trinidad Sour revolutionizes cocktail making by treating Angostura bitters as the base spirit rather than just a flavoring agent. This creates an intensely aromatic and complex drink that showcases the spice and herbal qualities of the bitters in a way no other cocktail does.

Absolutely! The original recipe doesn’t include egg white. Adding it creates a silkier texture and foam cap, but the drink is perfectly delicious without it. For a vegan alternative, you can use aquafaba (chickpea liquid) instead.

If the full-strength version is too bold, you can reduce the Angostura to 30ml and increase the rye whiskey to 30ml for a milder version. However, part of the drink’s appeal is its intensity – it’s meant to be a bold, challenging cocktail.

A good quality rye whiskey with spice character works best – brands like Rittenhouse Rye or Wild Turkey 101 Rye complement the bitters well. Avoid overly smooth or sweet whiskeys as they won’t provide the necessary spice backbone.

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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

  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters
    45 ml
  • Orgeat Syrup
    30 ml
  • Lemon Juice
    22.5 ml
  • Rye Whiskey
    15 ml
  • Egg White
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel
    1 twist

Method

  1. Add Angostura bitters, orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and rye whiskey to cocktail shaker. If using egg white, add it now.
  2. If using egg white, perform a dry shake (without ice) first for 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
  3. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
  4. Double strain through Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into chilled coupe glass.
  5. Garnish with lemon twist if desired, expressing oils over the drink before dropping in.