Category:International Sours

Gary Regan coined this term in his book "The Joy of Mixology".

Generic classification

"French style"

• 1 part liquor
• 1 part liquor-strength liqueur
• 1 part nonalcoholic souring agent

Shake & strain.

"English style"

• 1 part liquor
• 1/2 part liquor-strength liqueur
• 1/2 part nonalcoholic souring agent

Shake & strain.

Examples

Spirit, Triple Sec, Sour.

• Gin, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice = White Lady,
• Vodka, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice = Balalaika,
• Rum, Triple Sec, Lime Juice = X, Y, Zee,
• Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice = Margarita,
• Brandy, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice = Side-car.

Variations

• Supplementing the sweetness of the drink by replacing part of the souring agent with a nonalcoholic sweetener, as in the Mai Tai.

• Adding a coloring agent, as in the Cosmopolitan.

• Using smaller amounts of multiple liquors instead of a larger amount of a single liquor, as in the Between the Sheets.

• Adding bitters, as in the Pegu Club Cocktail.