Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail Recipe

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A Cherry Vodka Sour brings a fresh twist to the classic cocktail by adding sweet cherry flavor to the drink’s signature tart and smooth taste.

This simple recipe needs just five ingredients: vodka, fresh lemon juice, cherry juice, simple syrup, and ice.

The bright red color makes this drink perfect for parties, Valentine’s Day celebrations, or any time someone wants a fruity cocktail. Many people love this drink because it balances sweet and sour flavors without being too strong.

The recipe takes less than five minutes to make, and the ingredients are easy to find at most stores. People can adjust the amount of cherry juice or simple syrup to match their taste preferences.

Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail Recipe

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This tart and sweet cocktail combines fresh cherry juice with vodka and a perfect balance of citrus. The drink takes just 5 minutes to make and serves one person.

John

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Serving Size 1

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Hawthorne strainer
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Ice
• Coupe or rocks glass
• Small knife and cutting board for garnish

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz fresh cherry juice
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 1 fresh cherry for garnish
• Ice for shaking

Instructions

• Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
• Pour vodka, cherry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker.
• Shake hard for 10-15 seconds until the shaker gets frosty.
• Double strain the mixture through both strainers into a chilled coupe glass.
• Garnish with a fresh cherry on a pick.

Notes

Fresh cherry juice makes a better drink than bottled juice. Make fresh juice by pitting and blending dark sweet cherries, then straining.

The cocktail works well with both plain and citrus-flavored vodka.

Store simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

This recipe can be doubled or tripled for serving multiple guests – just increase ingredients while keeping the same ratios.

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Tasting Notes

The Cherry Vodka Sour hits the palate with bright, tart flavors. Fresh lemon juice creates a zingy first sip that wakes up the taste buds.

Sweet dark cherries blend smoothly with the vodka, creating a balanced middle note. The natural cherry flavor adds depth without being too sugary.

A light vanilla accent from the simple syrup helps soften the drink’s sour elements. This subtle sweetness rounds out the cocktail’s sharp edges.

The vodka provides a clean, crisp foundation that lets the fruit flavors shine. Its neutral character works perfectly as a backdrop for the cherry and citrus.

Texture Notes:

• Light and refreshing mouthfeel
• Silky smooth finish
• Gentle effervescence from shaking

The cocktail finishes clean with lingering notes of cherry and citrus. Each sip leaves a pleasant tartness that invites another taste.

The drink’s deep pink color adds visual appeal and hints at the fresh cherry flavors within. A garnish of fresh cherries and lemon wheel enhances both the aroma and presentation.

Substitute

Can’t find cherry vodka? Regular vodka mixed with cherry juice works well. Use 2 parts vodka and 1 part cherry juice to match the taste of cherry vodka.

Other spirit options can create tasty variations of this drink. Try gin for a botanical twist, or white rum for a sweeter flavor profile.

Non-alcoholic substitutes include:

• Cherry-flavored sparkling water
• Tart cherry juice
• Pomegranate juice

The sour mix can be replaced with:

• Fresh lemon juice + simple syrup
• Fresh lime juice + simple syrup
• Store-bought sweet and sour mix

Missing egg white? These options add similar foam:

• Aquafaba (chickpea liquid)
• Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer
• Fee Foam

Want a sweeter drink? Replace simple syrup with:

• Grenadine
• Maraschino cherry syrup
• Cherry simple syrup

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