Simple Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

This Cherry Vodka Sour is light, fruity, and refreshing made with fresh lemon juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and vodka! It makes a perfect summer cocktail! It's one of my favorite easy cocktail recipes just like my Vodka Sunrise , Blueberry Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe, or this gorgeous and refreshing Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink!

This recipe is different from a classic vodka sour that is topped with a raw egg white foam. Instead, it's an easy tangy cocktail with the sweetness of the grenadine that has a cherry flavor.

I love making this cherry vodka sour cocktail when I'm entertaining, especially because of the pretty pink hue of the cocktail! It's gorgeous to serve garnished with cherries and fresh lemons.

Why You'll Love This Recipe!

This Cherry 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 egg whites but we skip that step here making it even easier!

Table of Contents

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe!
• Table of Contents
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Make a Cherry Vodka Sour
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe Tips
• Variations
• Recipe

Ingredient Notes

• Vodka - use any kind you like I used Finlandia which is a regular vodka but you can also use a sour cherry vodka if it's available in liquor stores near you. Craft cherry vodkas are usually made from fresh cherries or sour cherries and cherry juice, the best way to get the fresh fruit flavor. You can also use homemade cherry vodka if you like (basically, infused vodka with cherries and sugar for a few weeks).
• Simple Syrup - I like using simple syrup so you can customize the sweetness of the drink to your taste. You can easily make your own simple syrup from equal parts white sugar and water heated until the grain of the sugar dissolves.
• Fresh Lemon Juice - if you don't have lemon juice you can substitute fresh lime juice or a homemade sour mix (by shaking together fresh lemon and lime juice with simple syrup).
• Grenadine Syrup I use Rose's you can also use a Cherry Grenadine if you can find it.
• Ice cubes - for serving.
• 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 the ingredients.
• Fill a cocktail glass with ice and strain and pour the cocktail over the ice. Garnish your Cherry cocktail with a Maraschino cherry and a lemon slice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Tips

• Customize this cocktail to your taste! After shaking open your cocktail shaker dip a straw in, and taste it. Is your cocktail 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.
• 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 savory brunch mains or boards with dips and salty charcuterie!

Variations

Turn this drink into a mocktail by omitting the vodka and topping it up with sparkling water or gingerale. You could also use a cherry lemonade in place of the simple syrup and lemon juice with a shot of cherry grenadine to boost the flavor.

Try these other delicious cherry-flavored drinks Vodka Cherry Limeade , Cherry Limeade Moscow Mule, or this alcohol-free 7UP® Cherry Float!

Recipe