Cherry Vodka Sour | Refreshing and Delicious
This cherry vodka sour recipe is perfect for the spring and summer months. Made with my homemade cherry infused vodka and fresh sour mix, it is especially delicious and refreshing!
Doesn’t this photo make you want to grab one of the glasses and slurp this cherry vodka sour down in one go? Or is that just me?
Two stand-out characteristics that make most cocktails refreshing are the ice cold temperature and the zest of citrus.
This cocktail has both of those things going for it. It’s full of ice and it has a good amount of fresh lemon juice. And the vodka with the fresh cherry flavor is out of this world.
One sip of this delicious drink will have you thinking – cherry lemonade. Just remember that it has booze so sipping is suggested.
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Helpful tips
- Homemade cherry vodka is a deep red color and goes perfect in this cocktail. Most people use just regular vodka or store bought cherry vodka that is clear, so they add grenadine which makes the cocktail overly sweet. Use my homemade cherry vodka, you won’t regret it.
- Usually sweet and sour mix is made of equal parts citrus and syrup, but I like a more tart cocktail so I always use 1/2 the sweetener that other recipes typically call for.
- Make your own simple syrup as it saves you money and is so easy. Here’s how: add equal amounts of water and sugar to a saucepan. I usually do 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. On medium heat, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool completely before using it in a cocktail.
- I say make it like this and taste it. If it isn’t sweet enough for you, add more by 1/2 ounce increments and taste after each one. But I’m thinking the sweetness is enough.
- You can use any glassware. The tall glass is a Tom Collins glass, my glass of choice for this cocktail. The double old fashioned glass and coupe are fun options, too.
- Fresh fruit tastes best in cocktails, so whenever you can, squeeze the lemon juice yourself.
- You can make a big batch of this cocktail. Just double or triple the ingredients and mix it in a pitcher.
- Some sour’s like whiskey sour or a classic vodka sour are made with egg whites to make the cocktail frothy and creamy. That is the old fashioned way of making a sour cocktail. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need the egg white. Leaving it out not only lessens your chance of contracting salmonella but it makes it more refreshing and oh, so pretty.
How to make the cherry vodka sour
Pre-step
Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 of the way with ice and get a measuring glass and glassware.
After measuring each ingredient below, pour it into your shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – my much loved homemade cherry infused vodka, some fresh lemons, and simple syrup.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of cherry infused vodka.
Step three
Measure 6 ounces of fresh lemon juice.
Step four
Measure 3 ounces simple syrup
Step five
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake gently for 15 seconds. The reason I shake gently is because the shaker is so full!
Step six
Add ice cubes to the glasses and divide, strain, and pour the vodka sour between the three glasses. Add two cherries to each cocktail glass as garnish.
Isn’t that simply mouthwatering?
The large ice cube you see above was made with this ice cube tray.
And here’s the vertical view.
And another because I love a good vertical view.
I hope you enjoyed this cherry vodka sour cocktail recipe!
What is your favorite sour cocktail? Leave me a comment as I love to know!
Other popular fruit-based cocktails
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Cherry Vodka Sour
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cherry infused vodka
- 6 ounces lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 ounces simple syrup (anywhere between 2.5 – 6 ounces)
Garnish
- 6 cherries
Instructions
- Fill shaker 3/4 with ice
- Add vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup4 ounces cherry infused vodka, 6 ounces lemon juice, 3 ounces simple syrup
- Cap shaker and gently shake for 15 seconds
- Add ice to the glasses and divide the contents equally between the 3 glasses
- Add two cherries to each glass as garnish6 cherries
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
- Usually sweet and sour mix is made of equal parts citrus and syrup, but I like a more tart cocktail so I always use 1/2 the simple syrup that other recipes typically call for.
- Make your own simple syrup as it saves you money and is so easy. Here’s how: add equal amounts of water and sugar to a saucepan. I usually do 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. On medium heat, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool completely before using it in a cocktail.
- I say make it like this and taste it. If it isn’t sweet enough for you, add more by 1/2 ounce increments and taste after each one. But I’m thinking it is sweet enough.
- You can use any glassware. The tall glass is a Tom Collins glass, my glass of choice for this cocktail. The double old fashioned glass and coupe are fun options, too.
- Fresh fruit tastes best in cocktails, so whenever you can, squeeze the lemon juice yourself.
- You can make a big batch of this cocktail. Just double or triple the ingredients and mix it in a pitcher.
Nutrition
Originally published in July of 2018. Updated photos and recipe.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Perfect for the hot weather we’ve been having! This looks absolutely refreshing and has such a pretty colour too.
Thanks so much Marie!! I agree. At least the heat is going to break here for us in New England. But it’s been brutal.
I always love seeing your cocktail recipes…this one is so tempting with the cherry!
Thanks so much Sandi! It is so refreshing!
This is my kind of cocktail! Is it 5 o’clock yet??
Hehe! It is somewhere Jessica!
This looks refreshing for summer. I love the flavor of cherries when tart and fresh. It’s one of my favorite cocktails.
Thanks Ali! I do enjoy a good sour cocktail! 🙂
I love infusing spirits, especially in the summer when fruit and berries are at their peak. And this cocktail sounds so refreshing and easy to make! Perfect for summer entertaining.
Thanks so much Daniela! I love the summer, especially for the fresh fruit!
Love the color of this drink! It’s a delicious drink for summer and entertaining!
Thanks so much Shadi! 🙂
Looks beautiful! And refreshing. And energizing. And relaxing. And energizing again 🙂
Thanks Helena. That cracked me up!
This looks and sounds amazing, Lainey!
Thank you Beth!
My lips puckered reading this post. Sounds delish!
Thanks Christopher!
How do you make your cherry infused vodka?
Cheryl, the recipe is right on the page. You basically wash and pit a bunch of cherries, put them in a ball jar and pour in vodka. You place it in the fridge for 1 week, take the cherries out and throw them away and voila!
Cherry Vodka Sour, where have you been all my life?
Lol Jeff! That made my day!
This drink is so refreshing and tasty! I really like it! It’s one of my favorite summer drinks!
I’m so pleased to hear Rika! 🙂 Thank you for letting me know.
This cocktail sounds amazing! I love the color and foresee the taste. Pinning.
Thank you Irina. It’s so refreshing that you have to keep reminding yourself that it has booze in it. 😉
This is going to be my new favorite cocktail! I made one last night and it was incredible!
Thanks Jessica! I’m so happy to hear that. Cheers.
Amazing colour and went down so well at our summer BBQ at the weekend.
Thanks Beth! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
Oh my gosh, this was the best vodka sour ever. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Awww, thanks Eden. I really appreciating you letting me know. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
This cocktail was so good!!! Can’t wait for the weekend to make some more haha
I’m so glad to hear Aline! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for letting me know.
Can you make suggestions for those of us that don’t have the time to make the cherry infused vodka? I love anything cherry but I truly don’t have the time to pit and do all that
Kim, they do have cherry flavored vodka in liquor stores. I haven’t tried any of those brands but I do trust Grey Goose. But if it’s not in your budget, Smirnoff is a solid brand. Just know you won’t get the same color as my drink. (I’ve also found that in the summer months – the vodka only takes around 3 days to infuse and lately I’ve been infusing it on the counter.)