This Cherry Vodka Sour is light, fruity, and refreshing made with fresh lemon juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and vodka! Perfect for brunch!
Why You'll Love This Recipe!
This Cherry Vodka Sour is such a versatile cocktail for brunch entertaining! It's simple enough to make for a casual brunch or summer patio party! You can even serve it as a signature drink at a brunch shower! It can also easily be turned into a delicious mocktail. Classic sours usually involve using an egg white but we skip that step here making it even easier!
Table of Contents
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Ingredient Notes
This cherry vodka sour recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand!
- Vodka - use any kind you like I used Finlandia
- Simple Syrup
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Grenadine Syrup I use Rose's you can also use a Cherry Grenadine if you can find it.
- Ice
- Maraschino Cherries and Lemon Slices for garnish
How to Make a Cherry Vodka Sour
- Fill half of a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the Vodka to the shaker.
- Next, add the simple syrup.
- Add the fresh lemon juice.
- Add the grenadine syrup.
- Shake the cocktail shaker to mix ingredients. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice and strain and pour the cocktail over the ice. Garnish your Cherry Vodka Sour with a Maraschino cherry and a lemon slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe gets its "cherry" flavor from the grenadine syrup which is actually made from a reduction of pomegranate juice, sugar, and water. The sour comes from the fresh lemon juice which balances the sweetness.
You can absolutely substitute cherry vodka for even more flavor in this drink! Bonus it will also have more of a beautiful aroma with the cherry vodka added!
Recipe Tips
- Customize this cocktail to your taste! After shaking in Step 6, open your cocktail shaker dip a straw in, and taste it.
- Is your cocktail is too sweet? Add more lemon juice! Is it too sour? Experiment with more simple syrup or another splash of grenadine will do the trick.
- Double or triple the recipe following the same steps but only fill your shaker ¼ full with ice in step 1.
- You can easily turn this drink into a mocktail by omitting the vodka and topping it up with sparkling water or ginger ale after step 4.
- If you are serving this as a signature cocktail at brunch shower add the desired amount of cocktail ingredients in a large pitcher (except the ice) and refrigerate. Closer to serving time add pretty glasses to a serving tray with a bucket of ice and the garnishes for the guests to serve themselves!
- This cocktail pairs well with savoury brunch mains or brunch boards with dips and salty charcuterie!
Recipe
Cherry Vodka Sour
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounce Vodka
- 1 ounce Simple Syrup
- 2 ounces Lemon Juice fresh squeezed
- 1 splash Grenadine Syrup
- Maraschino Cherry and Lemon Slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill half of a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the Vodka to the shaker.
- Next, add the simple syrup.
- Add the fresh lemon juice.
- Add the grenadine syrup.
- Shake the cocktail shaker to mix ingredients. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice and strain and pour the cocktail over the ice. Garnish your Cherry Vodka Sour with a Maraschino cherry and a lemon slice.
Notes
- Customize this cocktail to your taste! After shaking in Step 6, open your cocktail shaker dip a straw in, and taste it.
- Is your cocktail is too sweet? Add more lemon juice! Is it too sour? Experiment with more simple syrup or another splash of grenadine will do the trick.
- Double or triple the recipe following the same steps but only fill your shaker ¼ full with ice in step 1.
- You can easily turn this drink into a mocktail by omitting the vodka and topping it up with sparkling water or ginger ale after step 4.
- If you are serving this as a signature cocktail at brunch shower add the desired amount of cocktail ingredients in a large pitcher (except the ice) and refrigerate. Closer to serving time add pretty glasses to a serving tray with a bucket of ice and the garnishes for the guests to serve themselves!
Royce says
How is this drink cherry? Maraschino cherries are not real cherries. I'm a 23-year veteran working bartender. The name of your drink and the recipe intrigued me. I love anything that's Cherry flavored, it's one of the underused flavors it in the bar business. But you don't really have anything in the drink that's really cherry. I would alter this recipe by adding a half to an ounce of tart cherry juice. It's expensive, but it doesn't take much to get the flavor. I would have to this concoction, but I would try different combinations of grenadine and tart cherry to get the proportions right. My instincts tell me this could be a really really good, unique drink
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Hey Royce! Thanks so much for stopping by! Wow 23 years! You must have some stories and incredible recipes to share! Thanks so much for your suggestion I'll definitely give it a try! I really like this drink it's just really fun and easy! Thanks again for your feedback! Cheers!
Sadie says
This Cherry cocktail tastes amazing and is so easy to make! My girlfriends loved it for girls nite! Thank you!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Thank you so much Sadie! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! My sisters and I love it when we get together too!