Cherry Vodka Sour Cocktail Recipe
A refreshing summer vodka sour featuring cherry-infused liquor, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of grenadine sweetness. Muddled cherries at the base add depth and visual appeal. Topped with sparkling lemon water and served over ice, this drink balances tart citrus with subtle fruit notes for a sophisticated warm-weather libation.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ oz vodka, cherry infused or regular
- 2 squeeze grenadine, depending on desired sweetnesssimple syrup1:1sweetener
removes pomegranate flavor
- 2 whole fresh cherries, for muddling and garnish
- 7 cube ice, for shaking
- lemon juice, from one whole lemon
- 3 cube ice, for serving glass
- 12 oz sparkling lemon waterclub soda1:1mixer
removes lemon flavor
Instructions
- 1
Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker with vodka, grenadine, and fresh lemon juice.
- 2
Place top on shaker and shake vigorously until the exterior feels cold, about 10-20 seconds.
- 3
Muddle one cherry at the bottom of an old-fashioned or short glass.
- 4
Add an un-muddled cherry and ice to the glass.
- 5
Pour shaken cocktail over ice and cherries.
- 6
Top with sparkling lemon water and add remaining cherry.
- 7
Stir and serve.
Tips
Shake until the exterior of the shaker feels cold to ensure proper chilling
Use fresh cherries for better flavor and appearance
Adjust grenadine quantity based on personal sweetness preference
Good to Know
Prepare individual components ahead. Store vodka and grenadine at room temperature or chilled. Fresh cherries in refrigerator.
Pre-measure vodka and grenadine into bottles. Chill glasses in freezer up to 2 hours before serving.
Serve immediately after preparation. Drink while cold.
Common Mistakes
Under-shake to avoid insufficiently chilled cocktail
Over-muddle cherry to avoid bitter flavors
Add grenadine after shaking to avoid uneven distribution
Substitutions
removes pomegranate flavor
removes lemon flavor