This Cherry Vodka recipe is a refreshing sweet and fruity take on the classic vodka sour.
The Cherry Vodka Sour is a refreshing, sweet frothy cocktail that is a fun twist of the classic vodka sour.
It boasts a pretty pink hue, which makes the cocktail perfect for a Valentine’s Day party or brunch party.
What is a Vodka Sour?
A sour cocktail is composed of a base liquor, citrus (typically lime or lemon juice), and a sweetener (typically simple syrup).
Sour cocktails also usually contain egg whites.
Therefore, a vodka sour’s main ingredient is vodka.
To achieve the cherry flavor, we used Kirsch and Luxardo maraschino cherries syrup for this particular cherry vodka recipe.
What is a Kirsh Liqueur? Can I Substitute It?
Kirsch is a German brandy made of sour cherries. It is colorless and a bit dry.
It is made by distilling the cherries once they go through a fermentation process.
The result is an 80-proof liquor that features a cherry flavor with bitter almond notes.
Kirsch can be drunk neat, on the rocks or used in cocktail making.
What are Luxardo Cherries?
Luxardo cherries are an Italian brand of candied cocktail cherries that are jarred with marasca cherry syrup.
They are the original cocktail cherries and the original maraschino cherries that were invented in 1905.
Luxardo cherries are super dark and firm. Its syrup is infused with the cherries and boasts bitter almond notes.
So when mixing it alongside the Kirsch liqueur, it makes the perfect combo.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make a Cherry Vodka Sour
Vodka
Kirsch cherry liqueur
Orange bitters
Lemon juice
Orange juice
Egg whites
Orange wedge
How to Make a Cherry Vodka Sour
1 — In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add in the vodka, Kirsch liqueur, lemon juice, orange juice, Luxardo cherry syrup, egg whites and orange bitters.
8 — Shake well for 30 seconds or until the cocktail shaker has completely chilled.
9 — Strain and pour the mixture into a whiskey glass with ice.
10 — Optional: Garnish with an orange wedge and a couple of maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick.
Recipe Notes and Tips
Can I substitute the Kirsch Liqueur?
Substitute Kirsch with cherry vodka instead.
How to make your own egg whites:
Egg whites can be purchased at the grocery store. To make your own, simply crack an egg and extract the egg white using a fine mesh strainer.
Can I omit the egg whites?
The egg whites give the cocktail a creamy and thick texture as well as the frothy top.
It does not add any additional taste or smell to the cherry vodka recipe. And therefore, it can be omitted.
How to make this recipe vegan:
Substitute the egg whites for aquafaba, which is made with water from cooking beans.
If using aquafaba for the foam, make it separately and top off the cocktail with it at the end.
Can you use other cherries?
Luxardo cherries are on the pricier side. However, they’re premium cherries and the best to use in cocktails.
You can use regular candied cherries and simple syrup. If you are doing so, amp up the cherry flavor profile by swapping out the orange juice for cherry juice.
More Easy Sour Cocktails to Try
Cherry Vodka Sour Recipe
Equipment
- Bar spoon
- Whiskey glass
- Cocktail pick optional
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz Kirsch Liqueur
- 1 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz orange juice
- 2 dash orange bitters
- 3 tbsp egg white
- 1/2 oz Luxardo cherries syrup
- 2 luxardo cherries optional for garnish
- 1 orange wedge optional for garnish
Nutrition
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add in the vodka, Kirsch liqueur, lemon juice, orange juice, Luxardo cherry syrup, egg whites and orange bitters.
- Shake well for 30 seconds or until the cocktail shaker has completely chilled.
- Strain and pour the mixture into a whiskey glass with ice.
- Serve in a whiskey glass with plenty of ice.
- Optional: Garnish with an orange wedge and a couple of maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick.
