• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT

All You Need is Brunch logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • RECIPES
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cocktails

    Published: May 29, 2023 by Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj · This post may contain affiliate links

    Simple Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print 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 and Blueberry Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe!

    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.

    Cherry Vodka sour with a yellow straw and maraschino cherry and lemon slice for garnish

    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!
    cherry vodka sour in old fashioned glass with ice and cherries on the table.

    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
    • Variation
    • Recipe

    Ingredient Notes

    Vodka, grenadine, lemons, sugar syrup and cherries on white table.
    • 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

    sugar syrup being poured in a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Fill half of a cocktail shaker with ice. 
    • Add the Vodka to the shaker. 
    vodka being poured into a cocktail shaker and lemon also being squeezed into the cocktail shaker.
    • Next, add the simple syrup.
    • Add the fresh lemon juice.
    Grenadine Syrup being pored in the cocktail shaker  and the cocktail being strained over ice.
    • 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

    What is a Cherry Vodka Sour?

    This vodka cocktail gets its "cherry" flavor from the grenadine syrup which is actually made from a reduction of pomegranate juice, sugar, and water. The sour effect comes from the fresh lemon juice which balances the sweetness.

    What is in Cherry Vodka Sour?

    This cocktail can have a combination of the following ingredients: vodka, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, grenadine, and ice. Some versions use sour mix. They are typically garnished with maraschino cherries and lemon slices.

    Can I use Cherry Vodka in this Recipe?

    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!

    close up of vodka cherry sour cocktail

    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!

    Variation

    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.

    Recipe

    cherry cocktail with lemon and cherries on the table

    Cherry Vodka Sour

    Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj
    This Cherry Vodka Sour is light, fruity, and refreshing made with fresh lemon juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and vodka! Perfect for brunch!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 190 kcal

    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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 77mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cherry vodka sour
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cocktails

    • Americano cocktails on table with oranges and campari.
      Americano Cocktail
    • Martini with Pineapple on table with garnishes.
      Pineapple Martini
    • Cranberry gin cocktail on table with mint and lemon.
      Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • Vodka sunrise cocktail on table with cherries oranges and paper straws.
      Vodka Sunrise

    About Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj

    Welcome to All You Need is Brunch! I'm Charlotte, professional food photographer and recipe developer here behind these delicious and easy Brunch Recipes with over 20 years of cooking and baking experience!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Royce says

      April 18, 2022 at 9:56 am

      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

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        April 27, 2022 at 4:30 am

        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!

        Reply
    2. Sadie says

      September 11, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      This Cherry cocktail tastes amazing and is so easy to make! My girlfriends loved it for girls nite! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        September 11, 2022 at 7:45 pm

        Thank you so much Sadie! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! My sisters and I love it when we get together too!

        Reply
    3. Debbie R. says

      June 07, 2023 at 1:59 am

      5 stars
      This was soooo tasty! I made it with what I had on hand and it was so good I made it for our next pool party. Everyone loved it. Will make again.

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        June 07, 2023 at 4:17 am

        Thanks so much Debbie! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Perfect for a pool party!

        Reply
    4. Akshaya says

      July 02, 2023 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Just made these for my Canada Day get together. Loved by everyone! Tasty and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says

        July 10, 2023 at 12:46 am

        Yay! I love this cocktail for entertaining too as it's so easy! So happy everyone enjoyed!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    charlotte blogger at all you need is brunch.

    Hi, I'm Charlotte! I'm a mom of 4 beautiful boys with BIG appetites! My family and I are obsessed with Brunch so I blog about Brunch Recipes and all the Brunch Ideas you need, for your next Brunch Party including Breakfast, Lunch, Baking, and Cocktails! Learn More

    Popular

    • Americano cocktails on table with oranges and campari.
      Americano Cocktail
    • Slice of Oreo Pizza on plate.
      Easy Oreo Pizza Recipe
    • Air fryer jalapeno poppers on yellow table.
      Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
    • Sweet cream pancakes with whipped cream and berries.
      Sweet Cream Pancakes
    • Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
    • Quesadilla made in waffle maker on a plate cut in quarters.
      Easy Quesadilla (in Waffle Maker)
    • Easy Mini Lemon Tarts
    • Air Fryer Hot Dogs

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ
    ↑ back to top
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 All You Need Is Brunch