Looking for a fun drink that will make you feel like you are on vacation? This tasty Rum Sour will transport you to a tropical island instantly, no passport required. The best part? You only need 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to feel like you are beachside with your toes in the sand!

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Rum doesn't get the love it deserves.
There are so many more drinks that you can make with it besides a simple rum and coke. We love a good classic daiquiri and will never turn down a glass of rum sangria lemonade, but this Rum Sour drink will quickly become your go-to favorite in your rum cocktail repertoire. One sip and you will wonder what took you so long to try this classic cocktail.
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Why you will love this cocktail
✔️ It makes a statement. That layer of foam on top makes you look like a master bartender whenever you serve this drink. It looks fancy but it's approachable enough for any day of the week.
✔️ It's something a little different. Save the rum and coke or the daiquiri for another day. This easy drinker will turn anyone into a rum fan.
✔️ It's a vacation in a glass. Just because you aren't on a tropical island doesn't mean you can't feel like you are. This fun rum drink will transport you instantly, no passport required.
Ingredients
Like most sour recipes, the ingredient list is short and sweet.
A few ingredient notes:
Lemon Juice: Fresh is the best and a must-have for the tastiest rum sour.
Simple Syrup: Make your own simple syrup at home or pick it up at your local grocery store next to the other drink mixers.
Egg Whites: You always want to use pasteurized eggs in cocktail recipes to avoid any bacteria from raw eggs. A pasteurized egg is gently heated to kill bacteria but not enough to cook the egg. You can also buy a carton of pasteurized egg whites at your local grocery store, which makes it easy to whip up cocktails quickly without having to separate an egg.
Instructions
Grab your cocktail shaker and jiggers as it only takes a few minutes to make this tasty rum drink.
Start with an empty shaker or mason jar and add rum, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Add egg white, cover, and shake for 30-60 seconds.
Add ice, shake again to chill the drink, and strain into a coupe glass.
FAQs
A sour is actually a category of mixed drinks that can be made with nearly any spirit, lemon or lime juice, a sweetener and nearly always include an egg white. The egg white is optional but it adds a lot to the drink. You won't get the foam on top without an egg white, but it will still taste delicious.
A reverse dry shake is when you first shake a cocktail without ice. After the drink has gotten nice and foamy, add ice to chill the drink and shake again before serving.
This method is commonly used when you are making a sour or any drink with an egg white.
Note: Adding water to an egg white immediately reduces the amount of foam that is produced, so pour quickly after shaking with the ice.
It is safe if the eggs (or egg whites) are pasteurized. Pasteurized eggs have been cooked to 140°F for 3 minutes and are immediately cooled. This process kills the bacteria in an egg making them safe to eat raw. I keep a carton of egg whites on hand for making cocktails. You can also buy pasteurized eggs and separate them if you prefer.
A Rum Sour is made with dark rum and lemon juice and a Daiquiri is made with light rum and lime juice.
Expert tips for the best sour cocktails
✔️ Chill your ingredients. A sour cocktail is made using the reverse dry shake method, so starting with cold ingredients makes your drink chill faster when you add the ice.
✔️ Use fresh lemon juice. The recipe doesn't call for a lot but the freshly squeezed juice adds a much smoother flavor than bottled juice which can be bitter.
✔️ Serve this drink in a pretty glass. We chose a classic coupe glass, but feel free to get creative.
✔️ Shake your drink vigorously for at least 30-60 seconds. Shaking the drink adds air to the egg whites giving you the foamy, creamy layer on the top of the drink.
✔️ Don't forget the garnish. We used a simple lemon peel to give this drink the perfect finishing touch.
More Sour Cocktails
There are so many sour cocktails to choose from. Try this Blood Orange Sour or any of our other rum cocktail recipes.
Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers!
Recipe
Rum Sour
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce egg white
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Instructions
- Add rum, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white to an empty cocktail shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds.2 ounces dark rum, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce simple syrup, 1 ounce egg white
- Add ice to shaker and shake for another 30-60 seconds to chill drink.
- Strain into coupe glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh Lemon Juice is a must for the best cocktail.
- Dark rum is the preferred choice for a sour cocktail.
- Fresh eggs are safe to use in drinks if the eggs (or egg whites) are pasteurized. Pasteurized eggs have been cooked to 140°F for 3 minutes and are immediately cooled. This process kills the bacteria in an egg making them safe to eat raw. I keep a carton of egg whites on hand for making cocktails. You can also buy pasteurized eggs and separate them, if you prefer.
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Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
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