Brandy Sour
The Brandy Sour is a strong brandy sour, tart and fruity on the palate. Shaken and served in a sour glass.
- 3 min
- Sour glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 70 out of 100
- Sweet
- 54 out of 100
- Fruity
- 58 out of 100
- Boozy
- 75 out of 100
How to make a Brandy Sour
To make a Brandy Sour, shake with ice and strain into a sour glass: 2 oz brandy, ¾ oz lemon and ¼ oz simple syrup. Garnish with lemon and cherry.
You'll need
- Brandy2 oz
- Lemon¾ oz
- Simple syrupor ½ tsp sugar + a splash of water¼ oz
- Lemon, Cherrygarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
Chill a sour glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled sour glass.
- 6
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry.
Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
No simple syrup? Muddle ½ tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.
Brandy Sour questions
What does a Brandy Sour taste like?
Mostly tart and fruity, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 23% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Brandy Sour?
About 23% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Brandy Sour and a Sidecar?
Both use brandy and lemon. The Brandy Sour adds simple syrup, while the Sidecar uses Cointreau. Both are shaken, but the Brandy Sour goes in a sour glass and the Sidecar in a coupe.
Should a Brandy Sour be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: lemon and simple syrup need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Can I make Brandy Sours in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 12 oz brandy, 4½ oz lemon and ¾ oz simple syrup in a jug and chill it. Add 3⅓ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a Brandy Sour in?
A sour glass.