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    Home » All » Tequila Sour

    Published: Jul 14, 2022 · Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Tequila Sour

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Tequila sour with lemon and lime wedges.
    Tequila sour cocktail on tray.
    Tequila Sour with lime peel in low ball.
    Tequila sour cocktail in low ball glass.

    Calling all tequila lovers! This smooth and silky Tequila Sour is an excellent way to sip on añejo tequila. You only need a handful of ingredients and 5 minutes to make this impressive cocktail.

    Tequila sour with lime peel in a lowball glass. this recipe

    Tequila doesn't get the love it deserves. I love a good Grand Marnier Margarita like everyone else, but añejo tequila is meant to be sipped in a sophisticated cocktail (or on the rocks), and this Tequila Sour is just the way to do it.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this cocktail
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert Tips for making the best sour cocktails
    • More Sour Cocktails
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this cocktail

    ✘ It's a smooth sipper. Tequila and agave are perfect partners. They are derived from the same plant making them a match made in heaven.

    ✘ It's impressive. The creamy layer of foam on top is a showstopper. Plus it's a great way to expand your home bartending skills and knowledge, not to mention a tasty way to drink tequila.

    ✘ It's easy to make. It looks complicated to make, but you don't need any fancy tools to make this tasty cocktail. Grab a mason jar and a jigger, and you have everything you need!

    Ingredients

    The ingredient list is short and sweet to make a Tequila Sour.

    Ingredients needed to make tequila sour.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Tequila: Añejo tequila has been aged and is smoother in flavor making it the best variation to use in a tequila sour. It's more expensive than silver or gold tequila, but definitely worth it for this cocktail.

    Lemon and Lime Juice: Fresh is always best for cocktails.

    Agave Nectar: Agave is the perfect sweetener for a Tequila sour since it has the same base as tequila. Simple Syrup can easily be used instead.

    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

    A sour is easy to make! Just grab your shaker and jigger and you are set.

    Steps 1-4 for making a tequila sour.

    Sours are made using a dry shake method, meaning NO ice.

    Add the tequila, lemon juice, lime juice and egg white to a shaker.

    Steps 5-7 making a tequila sour.

    Add the agave syrup, cover and shake for 30-60 seconds until the drink is nice and foamy.

    Pour tequila sour in ice filled glass.

    Fill a low ball glass with ice, pour Tequila Sour over ice, garnish with a lime peel and serve.

    FAQs

    What makes a cocktail a sour?

    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.

    What is a dry shake?

    A dry shake is when you shake a cocktail without ice. After the drink has gotten nice and foamy, pour it over ice to chill the drink.
    This method is commonly used when you are making a sour or any drink with an egg white.

    Can you taste the egg white in a sour?

    No! The egg white makes the drink silky and foamy but does not add an "agg flavor"

    Is it safe to drink egg whites?

    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

    Tequila sour on tray with lime wedge.

    Expert Tips for making the best sour cocktails

    ✔️ Use good tequila. This drink requires añejo tequila, which is aged for one-to-three years in oak. It's a sipping tequila, with the flavor of agave and rich vanilla and with a hint of a floral aroma. It is pricier than most silver or gold tequilas, but you get what you pay for.

    ✔️ Chill your ingredients. A sour cocktail is made using the dry shake method, so starting with cold ingredients makes your drink chill faster when you pour it over ice.

    ✔️ Use fresh lemon and lime 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.

    ✔️ 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 lime peel to give this drink the perfect finishing touch.

    More Sour Cocktails

    It's fun to make sour cocktails at home! Try some of these other tasty drinks.

    • Rum Sour in coupe glass with lemon peel.
      Rum Sour
    • Coupe glass filled with pink drink and foamy top.
      Aperol Sour
    • Orange juice brunch cocktail in an ice-filled glass with cherries and orange slices.
      Amaretto Stone Sour
    • vodka sour in a low ball glass with a lemon slice and cherry.
      Vodka Sour

    Looking for more tequila drinks? We LOVE tequila, check out all of our tequila cocktail recipes.

    Tequila sour with lime peel and jigger on tray.
    
    
    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

    tequila sour in glass with lime peel.

    Tequila Sour

    Garnish With Lemon
    A Tequila Sour is a smooth sipper made with anejo tequila, citrus juices and an egg white.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Tequila
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 218 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces Anejo Tequila
    • ½ ounce lemon juice
    • ½ ounce lime juice
    • ¾ ounce Agave Nectar
    • 1 ounce Egg white

    Instructions
     

    • This cocktail is made using the dry shake method, which means shaking without ice.
    • Add tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, agave and egg white to a shaker.
      2 ounces Anejo Tequila, ½ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce lime juice, ¾ ounce Agave Nectar, 1 ounce Egg white
    • Cover and shake for 30-60 seconds until the drink becomes very foamy.
    • Fill a low ball glass with ice and pour tequila mixture over. Garnish with lime peel and sere.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes:
    Tequila: Anejo tequila has been aged and is smoother in flavor making it the best variation to use in a tequila sour.
    Lemon and Lime Juice: Fresh is always best for cocktails.
    Agave Nectar: Agave is the perfect sweetener for a Tequila sour since it has the same base as tequila. Simple Syrup can easily be used instead.
    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.
    This drink is made with a dry shake method. A dry shake is when you shake a cocktail without ice. After the drink has gotten nice and foamy, pour it over ice to chill the drink.
    This method is commonly used when you are making a sour or any drink with an egg white.
    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

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ouncesCalories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 49mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

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