Topic
Medium-Strength and Sour Cocktails
Rye Whiskey · 20% ABV · Shaken
A tart and fruity rye drink where grapefruit and raspberry team up to soften the whiskey's bite.
The first sip hits you with sharp grapefruit and berry sweetness, then the rye spice pushes through the middle. It finishes dry and a little warming, with the fruit fading out cleanly.
Bourbon Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A rich, fruity whiskey sour with maraschino and grenadine that drinks like dessert in a glass.
The first sip is sweet and nutty, with the maraschino's cherry-almond character sitting right up front. The middle opens into soft whiskey warmth and a faint tart edge from the grenadine. It finishes with a lingering, almost candy-like sweetness and a silky coating from the egg white.
Bourbon Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A bourbon sour that swaps lemon for grapefruit and simple syrup for honey, giving it a warmer, slightly bitter edge.
The first sip hits you with sharp grapefruit tartness softened by honey's round sweetness. Mid-palate, the bourbon's caramel and vanilla come through underneath the citrus. The finish is dry and slightly bitter, with grapefruit pith and oak warming out slowly.
Irish Whiskey · 23% ABV · Shaken
A split-base sour that pairs Irish and Scotch whisky with orgeat and lemon for a nutty, citrusy drink with real depth.
The first sip is bright lemon and almond sweetness from the orgeat, then the two whiskies open up — smooth malt from the Irish against a faint smoky edge from the Scotch. It finishes dry and warming, with the nutty sweetness fading behind the spirit.
Mezcal · 16% ABV · Shaken
A smoky, tart twist on the classic sour that swaps whiskey for mezcal and lets the agave spirit's campfire character run the show.
The first sip hits with bright lemon and a wave of smoke that fills your nose. The middle softens as the egg white foam and simple syrup round off the sharp edges, leaving a creamy texture on your tongue. The finish is long and smoky with a lingering tartness that makes you want another sip.
Rye Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A wildly unusual sour that uses a massive pour of Angostura bitters as the base spirit, turning the usual cocktail ratios upside down.
The first sip hits with a punch of baking spice and bitter herbs, but the orgeat and lime quickly sweep in to balance it out with thick almond sweetness and sharp citrus. The middle is rich and syrupy, while the finish lingers with the unmistakable dry, woody warmth of Angostura.
Gin · 18% ABV · Shaken
It's basically a gin and orange juice, but when you shake it up with a little orange liqueur and simple syrup, it turns into a bright, floral brunch drink.
The first sip is fresh orange juice cut by the pine and botanicals of the gin. In the middle, the orange liqueur adds a sticky, fragrant sweetness that sits on the tongue. It finishes clean with a lingering citrus peel warmth from the spirit.
Vodka · 16% ABV · Shaken
A bright, neon-green cocktail that tastes like sweet melon candy with a sharp citrus edge.
The first sip hits you with upfront, juicy melon sweetness that leans toward tropical fruit. Mid-palate, the lemon juice cuts through, adding a tart snap that keeps the sweetness in check. The finish is short and clean, leaving a lingering fruity sweetness on the tongue.
White Rum · 24% ABV · Shaken
A bright, tart rum cocktail that leans heavily on tropical citrus and herbal liqueurs rather than thick fruit juices.
The first sip hits you with sharp lime and sweet orange from the triple sec, followed by the funky, grassy warmth of the rum. Mid-palate, the Galliano steps in with a vanilla-anise note that rounds out the acidity. The finish is quick and clean, leaving a lingering herbal sweetness on the tongue.
Cachaça · 16% ABV · Shaken
A Brazilian shaken cocktail made with cachaça, fresh fruit, and a splash of condensed milk for a creamy, tropical kick.
The first sip hits you with bright, sharp fruit and the funky, grassy bite of cachaça. The middle softens as the condensed milk rounds out the acidity and adds a gentle sweetness. It finishes creamy but not heavy, with the sugarcane rum warmth lingering behind the fruit.
White Rum · 18% ABV · Shaken
A Daiquiri variation that swaps out sugar for ginger syrup, adding a warm, spicy kick to the classic rum and lime combo.
The first sip hits with bright lime and a sharp ginger bite that wakes up your palate. The middle smooths out as the rum comes through, carrying a subtle sweet heat. It finishes clean with a lingering warmth at the back of your throat.
White Rum · 22% ABV · Shaken
A tart, bracing rum sour with maraschino and grapefruit layered in, built for a writer who hated sweet drinks.
The first sip hits you with sharp lime and grapefruit, backed by the warm bite of rum. Mid-palate, the maraschino comes through as a faint, dry cherry stone sweetness that never quite overpowers the acid. It finishes dry and slightly bitter, leaving a clean, citrusy sting.
Brandy · 18% ABV · Shaken
A sturdy, citrus-forward sour that lets the grape character of brandy shine through a frothy egg-white top.
The first sip hits you with bright lemon and a soft, velvety foam from the egg white. Right in the middle, the warm, fruity weight of the brandy pushes through the citrus. It finishes clean with a lingering grape sweetness and just enough bite to remind you it's a strong drink.
Bourbon Whiskey · 24% ABV · Shaken
A spirit-forward, citrus-kissed classic that sits somewhere between a Sazerac and a Whiskey Sour, with a sugared rim for extra crunch.
The first sip hits you with sweet sugar from the rim, then pulls into a rich, boozy whiskey body cut by fresh lemon. The bitters and maraschino linger in the background, giving the finish a dry, slightly herbal edge that keeps the sweetness in check.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
The Army and Navy is a gin-based twist on the classic sour, swapping out regular bitters for aromatic bitters and adding orgeat for a nutty, spiced edge.
The first sip hits you with bright lemon and a nutty sweetness from the orgeat. The middle rounds out as the gin's botanicals mix with the warm spice of Angostura. It finishes dry and slightly bitter, with the almond and spice lingering after the gin fades.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, bracing drink that lets the gin do the talking, backed up by just enough citrus and sugar to round off the edges.
The first sip hits with a bright, tart citrus snap that wakes up your palate. Right behind it, the gin's botanicals—juniper, whatever the distiller used—push through the acidity. The finish is clean and slightly warming, with the sugar just barely taking the sting out of the lemon.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, cold gin-and-lime drink that hits you with bright citrus and a clean botanical bite.
The first sip is all lime—tart and bright, with a quick hit of sweetness right behind it. The gin comes through in the middle, adding pine and juniper that cut through the sugar. It finishes crisp and a little dry, leaving a lingering citrus peel warmth.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A violet-hued gin cocktail that tastes like a floral, citrusy lemon dessert.
The first sip is sweet and floral, tasting strongly of violet and fresh lemon. The middle rounds out as the gin's botanicals push through the sweetness. It finishes with a soft, perfumed citrus note that fades cleanly.
Vodka · 20% ABV · Shaken
A shaken vodka sour that leans heavily into fresh ginger and elderflower, giving it a sharp, aromatic kick.
The first sip hits with a bright, gingery bite that wakes up your palate, followed by the soft, floral sweetness of elderflower. The finish is clean and a little warm, with the ginger heat lingering at the back of your throat.
Vodka · 18% ABV · Shaken
A sweet, tangy vodka cocktail flavored with passion fruit and vanilla, served with a chilled shot of prosecco on the side.
The first sip hits you with sharp passion fruit tartness and sweet vanilla, backed by a soft, rounded body from the liqueurs. The middle is fruity and a little syruppy, while the finish is short and warm with a faint citrus peel oiliness. Sipping the prosecco alongside cuts through the richness and refreshes your palate.
Gin · 18% ABV · Shaken
A fruity, gin-based classic that leans heavily on apricot and orange for a soft, sweet sip.
The first sip is all ripe apricot and bright orange juice, sweet and very forward. The gin pulls through in the middle, adding a dry botanical backbone that keeps it from tasting like plain juice. It finishes short and a little sweet, with the orange oils from the garnish lingering longer than the drink itself.
Aged Rum · 18% ABV · Shaken
The Old Cuban is essentially a Mojito topped with champagne, making it a fizzy, rum-driven cocktail with a bitter edge.
The first sip hits you with bright lime and mint, backed by the warm weight of aged rum. Mid-palate, the rich caramel notes of the rum and the earthy bitterness of the Angostura come through. The champagne adds a dry, bubbly finish that keeps the whole thing from feeling too heavy.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A bright, sharp gin cocktail that mixes orange juice with absinthe and grenadine for a weirdly compelling bitter-sweet kick.
The first sip hits you with fresh orange juice and sweet pomegranate, but the absinthe immediately pulls it into herbal, bitter territory. The middle is a tug-of-war between the fruity sweetness and the anise bite. It finishes dry and slightly medicinal, with the gin's botanicals and the absinthe lingering long after you swallow.
Mezcal · 24% ABV · Shaken
The Illegal is a mezcal-based sour that swaps out the usual orange liqueur for yellow Chartreuse, giving it a smoky, herbal kick.
The first sip hits you with tart lime and a rush of smoky mezcal. Mid-palate, the honey and Chartreuse bring in a thick, herbal sweetness that coats your tongue. The finish is long and warm, with the smoke and herbs lingering long after you set the glass down.
White Rum · 18% ABV · Shaken
A rustic Cuban drink made with rum, honey, and lime that drinks like a simpler, boozier Daiquiri.
The first sip hits you with sharp lime and sweet honey, which smooths out the raw edge of the rum. As it sits on your palate, the grassy, slightly funky notes of the aguardiente come through. It finishes warm and a bit fiery, with lingering citrus and honey sweetness.
Brandy · 22% ABV · Shaken
The Brandy Crusta is a sour-style drink with a sugared rim and a big lemon peel curled inside the glass, making it one of the fanciest and oldest cocktails in the book.
The first sip hits you with sugar from the rim, then slides into tart lemon and rich brandy. The middle is where the bitters and maraschino peek through, adding a subtle fruity depth. It finishes warm and slightly spicy from the bitters, with a lingering citrus oil scent from the peel.
White Rum · 18% ABV · Built
A Caipirinha made with rum instead of cachaça, keeping the bright lime and sugar but swapping in a familiar sugarcane spirit.
The first sip is a sharp, sweet lime punch with a grassy, slightly funky undertone from the rum. The middle softens as the sugar and ice melt together, rounding out the acidity. It finishes clean and bright with a lingering sugarcane warmth.
White Rum · 22% ABV · Shaken
A tart, nutty rum cocktail that drinks like a tropical almond sour.
The first sip hits you with sharp lime and sweet orange, followed quickly by the rich, marzipan-like flavor of orgeat. The white rum sits underneath it all, giving a clean boozy backbone without getting in the way of the nuts and citrus. It finishes dry and a little sticky, with a lingering almond scent.
Vodka · 21% ABV · Shaken
A clean, tart cocktail that lets the citrus shine without any heavy spirit flavors getting in the way.
The first sip is sharp and citrusy with a faint sweetness, followed by the neutral warmth of the vodka. If you use egg white, the middle turns soft and frothy, and the finish is clean and slightly tart.
Vodka · 18% ABV · Shaken
A sweet-tart vodka sour served up in a sugar-rimmed glass, basically adult lemonade with a kick.
The first sip hits you with bright, sharp lemon and a sweet sugar rim that melts right into the drink. The middle is straightforward vodka warmth softened by orange liqueur and simple syrup. It finishes clean and tart, leaving a lingering lemon zest on your tongue.
Bourbon Whiskey · 15% ABV · Shaken
A bright, minty, citrus-heavy whiskey drink that's basically a julep's louder cousin.
The first sip hits you with sharp lemon and fresh mint, backed by the sweetness of the syrup. As it settles, the whiskey's caramel and oak push through the chill. It finishes crisp and refreshing, with the mint lingering on your breath.
Vodka · 22% ABV · Shaken
A vodka-based spin on the Caipirinha that swaps out cachaça for a clean, neutral backbone.
The first sip is sharp and bright with fresh lime juice, backed by the straightforward warmth of vodka. The sugar rounds out the edges in the middle, leaving a sweet-citrus finish that fades into a clean, slightly warming bite.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A bright, honey-sweetened gin sour that turns three simple ingredients into something surprisingly layered.
The first sip hits with sharp lemon and the floral warmth of honey, then the gin's botanicals start poking through underneath. The middle is soft and rounded — the honey fills out the edges so the acid never feels raw. It finishes clean with a lingering floral sweetness that fades into gin's juniper bite.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, herbal, and citrusy equal-parts cocktail that wakes you up faster than coffee.
The first sip hits with bright lemon and a cool anise edge from the absinthe. The middle rounds out with orange liqueur and soft floral notes from the Lillet, while the gin provides a sturdy backbone. It finishes dry and slightly bitter, leaving a clean, herbal tang.
Vodka · 23% ABV · Shaken
A crisp, cold, lime-heavy drink that strips the cocktail down to just booze and citrus.
The first sip hits you with sharp, bright lime and a stiff alcoholic bite. The middle softens slightly as the simple syrup rounds out the acidity, leaving a clean, slightly sweet citrus finish.
Gin · 18% ABV · Shaken
A minty, citrus-forward gin sour that drinks like a brisk summer refresher.
The first sip hits you with sharp lime and cool mint, backed by the pine and botanicals of the gin. The middle softens as the simple syrup rounds out the acid, leaving a crisp, herbaceous finish that cleans the palate.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A pale blue, floral gin sour that tastes like drinking a violet garden with a tart lemon edge.
The first sip is tart and floral, with the lemon juice and crème de violette hitting right away. The middle brings out the gin's botanicals and the nutty cherry notes from the maraschino liqueur. It finishes dry and slightly tart, leaving a lingering floral perfume.
Bourbon Whiskey · 18% ABV · Shaken
A Boston Sour is just a Whiskey Sour with an egg white shaken in, giving it a rich, silky cap of foam.
The first sip hits you with that soft, frothy foam before the sharp whiskey and citrus cut through. The middle is a balance of sweet and sour, and the finish leaves a lingering warmth from the bourbon with a clean, lemony fade.
Mezcal · 24% ABV · Shaken
A smoky, herbal, bitter-sour equal-parts cocktail that hits you from three directions at once.
The first sip is smoke and lime, sharp and bright. Then the yellow Chartreuse blooms — honeyed herbs and spice pushing through the mezcal. The finish settles into a lingering bitter-orange note from the Aperol that keeps you reaching for another sip.
Scotch Whisky · 16% ABV · Shaken
A rich, equal-parts Scotch cocktail that balances smoky malt with cherry sweetness and fresh orange.
The first sip is sweet cherry and orange, almost candied, before the Scotch smoke cuts through and pulls it into darker territory. The middle is where the vermouth shows up — herbal and slightly bitter, threading the fruit and the malt together. It finishes with lingering smoke and a cherry-almond note that sticks around.
Bourbon Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A simple, bourbon-forward sour that swaps simple syrup for rich honey.
The first sip hits you with bright lemon tartness that quickly melts into the warm, floral sweetness of honey. The middle brings out the oak and caramel from the bourbon, while the finish is a lingering, cozy sweetness with a slight citrus zing.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A frothy, blush-colored gin sour with a tart bite and a soft, creamy head.
The first sip is tart and fruity from the lemon and pomegranate, followed by the dry bite of gin and a subtle apple warmth from the applejack. It finishes soft and slightly sweet, with the egg white smoothing out all the sharp edges.
Rye Whiskey · 18% ABV · Shaken
A whiskey sour turned fruity, with orange juice and grenadine adding a soft, rounded sweetness to the rye backbone.
The first sip is bright and citrusy, with the lemon and orange cutting through the rye. The middle brings out the whiskey's spice, mellowed by the subtle sweetness of grenadine. It finishes with a lingering tartness and warm rye spice.
Rye Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A whiskey sour with a red wine float that pools on top, adding a dry, fruity edge to a rich, tart drink.
The first sip hits you with tart lemon and the dry, tannic bite of the wine. Underneath that, the rye brings warm spice and a touch of sweetness to hold it together. The finish is a mix of lingering fruit and baking spice.
Vodka · 22% ABV · Shaken
A cold, sweet-and-sour vodka cocktail that drinks like adult lemonade with a kick.
The first sip hits you with bright, sharp lemon and a sweet sugar edge. The middle softens as the orange liqueur rounds out the acidity, leaving a clean, citrusy vodka warmth on the finish.
Cachaça · 18% ABV · Built
A bright, muddled lime and sugar drink from Brazil that hits you with sharp citrus and earthy cane spirit.
The first sip is a sharp, sweet-tart lime punch with gritty sugar texture. The middle opens up into the funky, grassy flavor of cachaça. It finishes warm and a little funky, with lingering lime oil and cane sweetness.
Tequila · 20% ABV · Shaken
A cleaner, more tequila-forward margarita that swaps orange liqueur for agave nectar, letting the spirit actually taste like something.
The first sip hits with sharp lime and the vegetal bite of agave, then the tequila spreads out warm and earthy across your tongue. It finishes dry and a little tart, with a lingering cooked-agave sweetness that keeps you reaching for another sip.
Cognac · 24% ABV · Shaken
A brisk, citrus-forward brandy sour that hits you with bright lemon and sweet orange before the warmth of the cognac settles in.
The first sip is sharp and citrusy, with a sweet orange edge from the liqueur. As it sits on your tongue, the rich, fruity weight of the brandy comes through. It finishes warm and slightly dry, leaving a lingering orange-oil scent.
Bourbon Whiskey · 22% ABV · Shaken
A modern equal-parts sour that hits you with bright citrus and bitter orange, then settles into a warm, herbal whiskey backbone.
The first sip is sharp and tart with fresh lemon, backed by the candied orange of Aperol. As it sits on your tongue, the bourbon warms things up while the Amaro Nonino brings a slightly bitter, earthy herbal note. It finishes dry and zesty, leaving you ready for another sip.
Blended Scotch Whisky · 24% ABV · Shaken
A smoky, spicy twist on a whiskey sour that uses fresh ginger and a float of Islay scotch to completely change the game.
The first sip hits you with campfire smoke and sharp ginger heat, which quickly melts into rich, sweet malt and tart lemon. The middle is warming and spicy, while the finish lingers with a long, dry, smoky sweetness.
Gin · 16% ABV · Shaken
A frothy, pink gin sour that balances tart raspberry and citrus with a botanical backbone.
The first sip is tart and fruity with a soft, fluffy texture from the egg white. The middle brings out the gin's botanicals cutting through the sweetness. It finishes clean with a lingering tart berry note.
Pisco · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, frothy sour that lets the grape brandy do the talking.
The first sip hits with bright lime and a soft, airy foam. The middle brings out the fruity, earthy warmth of the pisco. It finishes dry and a little bitter from the aromatic bitters on top.
Gin · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, bright gin drink that leans hard into lime.
The first sip hits you with a bright, sweet-tart lime punch, backed by the pine and botanicals of the gin. The middle softens as the sugar and citrus blend, leaving a clean, crisp finish. It's refreshing but has a definite bite from the spirit.
Bourbon Whiskey · 18% ABV · Shaken
A sturdy, tart cocktail that balances the bite of whiskey with sharp citrus and a touch of sweetness.
The first sip hits you with bright, sharp lemon that quickly softens into the caramel and vanilla of the whiskey. The middle is a push-and-pull between the sour juice and sweet syrup, rounding out into a warm, slightly woody finish. If you use egg white, the texture turns silky and softens the bite.
Vodka · 20% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, pink vodka sour with a hit of cranberry and a sweet orange edge.
The first sip is bright and tart from the lime and cranberry, mellowing into a sweet orange middle from the liqueur. It finishes clean with just a faint tart grip on the sides of your tongue.
White Rum · 22% ABV · Shaken
A crisp, tart rum sour that hits you with bright lime and a clean, dry finish.
The first sip is sharp and lime-heavy, backed by the grassy sweetness of rum. The middle softens as the sugar balances the acid, leaving a clean, slightly fruity warmth on the finish.
Tequila · 22% ABV · Shaken
A sharp, salty, citrus-driven tequila sour that cuts right through the heat.
The first sip hits you with bright lime and a bite of salt from the rim. The middle opens up the earthy, vegetal notes of the tequila softened by the orange liqueur. It finishes dry and tart, leaving a warm agave buzz.
