This refreshing Strawberry Sour Cocktail is an easy, fruity twist on a classic gin sour. Fresh strawberries are muddled with agave syrup then shaken with gin, and lemon juice for a sweet-tart drink that's perfect for the summer.
A Fruity, Refreshing Summer Cocktail
Many strawberry cocktails can end up tasting too jammy or sweet, relying on cooked strawberry syrups for their flavor. This strawberry gin sour uses fresh berries to highlight their natural juicy flavor. The result is a not-too-sweet cocktail, balanced by tart lemon juice. Just muddle, shake, and pour for a sip that's perfect for a warm summer evening.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Strawberries - Are muddled into the drink to bring that fresh, fruity flavor. I like to use fresh berries when they're in season, but frozen, defrosted strawberries work great too.
Agave syrup - Has a neutral flavor and sweetens the drink. Syrups are great for sweetening cocktails as they combine easily with the liquids. Maple syrup also works well but it's less sweet so you may need a touch more.
Dry gin - I like using London dry gin but feel free to use your favorite gin here for a different flavor. You can even use whiskey instead to make a whiskey sour variation like my rhubarb bourbon sour!
Lemon juice - Tart lemon juice enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Using fresh-squeezed here is important for the best taste. Fresh lime juice works well, too.
How to Make Strawberry Sour Cocktail
Step 1: Add strawberries and agave to a cocktail shaker. Muddle and add ice, followed by the gin, and lemon juice.
Step 2: Cap the shaker and shake vigorously (or stir). Strain into a rocks cocktail glass filled with ice.
Variations
Try out some twists on this fruity cocktail:
- For a frothy top: Shake the cocktail with 2 tablespoon aquafaba or an egg white (you can use pasteurized egg white from a carton if you're worried about eating raw eggs) without the ice to to create a foamy texture. Add the ice and shake again to chill before straining and serving.
- Swap the gin for vodka for a more neutral flavor.
- Add a few fresh thyme sprigs or basil leaves to the shaker for a herby twist.
- Add a few twists of black pepper to the shaker for a slightly spicy kick.
Recipe tips
- Shake the cocktail shaker hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker looks frosty and feels very cold to the touch.
- Use nice large ice cubes in the shaker and the glass to prevent the cocktail becoming over-diluted.
- Pour the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer to prevent any strawberry bits ending up in the drink.
- Garnish with a strip of orange or lemon zest for some extra citrus aroma.
FAQs
You can make a big batch of the muddled strawberry-agave and mix with the gin, and lemon juice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, give it a good mix (to redistribute the strawberries through the mix) then shake individual portions with ice before serving.
A dry gin is good here as the herbal juniper flavor and low sweetness balances the sweet berries and aperol.
Yes, you can use a non-alcoholic botanical spirit (like Seedlip or Gordon's alcohol-free gin) in place of the gin. Swap the aperol for non-alcoholic aperitivo (like Botivo).
More Strawberry Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Strawberry Sour Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ripe strawberries hulled and halved
- 1 ounce agave syrup
- 1 ½ ounces dry gin
- 1 ½ ounces fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Add strawberries and agave to a cocktail shaker or cocktail mixing glass. Muddle and add ice, followed by the gin, and lemon juice. Cap the shaker and shake vigorously (or stir in a cocktail mixing glass).
- Strain into a rocks cocktail glass filled with ice.
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