This Raspberry Gin Sour Cocktail Turned Me Into a Cocktail Person

There's something magical about watching someone take their first sip of a perfectly crafted gin sour and their eyes light up like they just discovered a secret the rest of us have been keeping from them. That's exactly what happened when my book club came over last month and I served these gorgeous pink raspberry gin sour cocktails with their cloud-like frothy tops. My friend Sarah, who swears she hates gin, took one sip and immediately demanded the recipe while pulling out her phone to photograph the layers. After spending way too many weekends perfecting the raspberry to lemon ratio and learning the proper egg white shaking technique from YouTube bartender videos, I finally created this gin sour cocktail that looks like it belongs in a fancy cocktail bar but is actually simple enough to make while Max tells me about his day.

Bright, frothy Raspberry Gin Sour Cocktail made with fresh raspberries, botanical gin, lemon juice, and silky egg white foam.

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Raspberry gin sour cocktail in a coupe glass with frothy foam, garnished with raspberries and lemon twist on a marble counter.

What is Gin Sour Cocktail

A gin sour cocktail is a classic mixed drink that combines botanical gin with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, shaken vigorously to create a smooth, frothy drink with the perfect balance of tart citrus and subtle sweetness. Unlike a Gin Fizz which adds soda water for carbonation, a traditional gin sour focuses on that silky texture from the egg white foam and the bright punch of fresh citrus that showcases the gin's botanical flavors. The result is a sophisticated cocktail that's both refreshing and elegant, with a velvety mouthfeel that makes every sip feel special.

How To Make Raspberry Gin Sour Cocktail

Our raspberry gin sour uses fresh muddled raspberries that give the drink a gorgeous pink hue and add natural berry sweetness that complements the gin's botanicals perfectly. The secret is the double shake method—first shaking without ice to emulsify the egg white, then shaking with ice to chill and dilute properly. This technique creates that Instagram worthy foam layer on top while the raspberry puree settles into beautiful layers that make this drink as stunning to look at as it is delicious to drink.

Raspberry Gin Sour Cocktail Ingredients

For the Cocktail Base:

2 oz dry gin (London Dry or botanical gin)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
1 egg white (or 1 oz aquafaba for vegan version)
6-8 fresh raspberries, plus extra for garnish
2 dashes Angostura bitters

For Simple Syrup:

½ cup water
½ cup granulated sugar

For Garnish:

Fresh raspberries on cocktail pick
Lemon twist or peel
Edible flowers (optional but gorgeous)

Fresh raspberries, lemon halves, egg, and bar tools for homemade raspberry gin sour cocktail on a white kitchen counter.

Step by Step Method

Muddle Fresh Raspberries

Place fresh raspberries in cocktail shaker
Muddle gently until berries are broken down and juicy
Don't over muddle or you'll get bitter flavors from seeds
The goal is to release all that beautiful raspberry color and flavor

Build the Sour Base

Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to shaker
Crack egg white and add to mixture carefully
No ice yet—this is the key to proper technique
Make sure lemon juice is freshly squeezed for best flavor

Master the Dry Shake

Seal shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds without ice
This emulsifies the egg white and creates that silky foam
Your arm will get tired but this step creates the magic
The mixture should look frothy and creamy when done

Add Ice and Shake Again

Fill shaker with ice cubes to chill and dilute
Shake hard for another 15-20 seconds until very cold
The outside of the shaker should frost over
This double shake method is what bartenders use for perfect texture

Strain and Serve with Style

Double strain through fine mesh strainer into coupe glass
The raspberry puree creates a beautiful pink layer at bottom
Top with 2 dashes of bitters for aroma and decoration
Garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon twist immediately

What Pairs Well With Raspberry Gin Sour Cocktail?

This elegant gin sour pairs beautifully with light appetizers like smoked salmon crostini, goat cheese and honey bites, or prosciutto wrapped melon for sophisticated entertaining. Try it alongside charcuterie boards, oysters on the half shell, or bruschetta for cocktail hour perfection. For dinner parties, serve before meals featuring grilled fish, roasted chicken, or spring vegetable risotto since the citrusy freshness prepares your palate.

Gin Sour Cocktail Variations

Blueberry Gin Sour Cocktail

Replace raspberries with fresh blueberries for deeper purple color
Muddle 8-10 blueberries using same technique
Earthier berry flavor pairs beautifully with lemon desserts
Gorgeous results with vibrant color

Pink Gin Sour with Elderflower

Add ½ oz elderflower liqueur for floral sweetness
Reduce simple syrup slightly to balance added sweetness
Enhances the gin's botanical notes perfectly
Extra fancy version for garden parties or bridal showers

Herbal Gin Sour with Basil

Muddle 3-4 fresh basil leaves with raspberries
Herbaceous twist adds complexity and depth
Feels like craft cocktail bar creation
Garnish with basil leaf for full aromatic experience

Vegan Aquafaba Gin Sour

Replace egg white with 1 oz aquafaba (chickpea liquid)
Use same double shake method for impressive foam
Plant based version works just as well
Tastes identical to original recipe

Equipment

Cocktail shaker with strainer (Boston shaker works great)
Muddler for crushing raspberries and releasing juices
Fine mesh strainer for double straining
Jigger or measuring tools for accurate pours
Coupe glasses or Nick and Nora glasses for elegant serving
Citrus juicer for fresh lemon juice
Small saucepan for making simple syrup

Storage Tips

Best Fresh

Serve immediately after mixing for the best foam and temperature. The egg white foam deflates within 15-20 minutes. Don't pre-mix gin sours as the texture deteriorates quickly.

Make Ahead Ingredients

Make simple syrup ahead and store in refrigerator up to 1 month in sealed glass jar. Juice lemons up to 4 hours ahead and store covered in refrigerator. Separate egg whites ahead and keep refrigerated in sealed container.

Garnish Preparation

Wash and dry raspberries day of serving, keep refrigerated until ready to use. Prep lemon twists and garnishes 1-2 hours before guests arrive. Store fresh raspberries in single layer to prevent crushing.

Top Tips for Perfect Gin Sour Cocktail

My sister teaches bartending classes in Portland, and when I told her I was trying to master the gin sour cocktail, she laughed and said the secret is all in the shake. She explained that most people don't shake long enough during the dry shake, which is why their foam looks sad and deflated. The egg white needs a full 30 seconds of vigorous shaking to properly emulsify and create those gorgeous bubbles. She also taught me to crack the egg white into a small bowl first, then pour it into the shaker; that way if you get any shell pieces or a bad egg, you haven't ruined your expensive gin and fresh lemon juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make a gin sour cocktail?

To make gin sour cocktail, Combine gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker. Dry shake without ice for 30 seconds, add ice, shake again for 15 seconds, then double strain into a coupe glass.

What is the difference between a Gin Fizz and a gin sour?

A Gin Fizz adds soda water for carbonation and is served in a tall glass, while a gin sour has no soda water, creating a smoother, less fizzy drink served in a coupe glass.

What is the name of a tart gin cocktail?

The classic tart gin cocktail is simply called a Gin Sour, which highlights the tartness of fresh lemon juice balanced with simple syrup and the botanical notes of quality gin.

What does a gin sour taste like?

A gin sour tastes bright and citrusy with tart lemon balanced by subtle sweetness, showcasing the gin's botanicals with a silky, frothy texture from the egg white that makes it smooth and luxurious.

Your New Signature Cocktail

Now you have every secret to creating this incredible raspberry gin sour cocktail that transforms your home bar into a craft cocktail destination. This recipe proves that the most impressive drinks combine classic techniques with fresh, quality ingredients to create something that's both beautiful and delicious.

Ready for more refreshing drinks? Try our Blue Raspberry Lemonade for fruity nostalgia with modern flair, or explore our Raspberry Iced Tea for non-alcoholic berry refreshment. For more citrus perfection, our Blueberry Lemonade uses similar fresh fruit techniques with stunning summer results.

Share your gin sour cocktail creations! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #RaspberryGinSour; we're dying to see your layered cocktails and hear about what garnishes you chose for your frothy masterpieces!

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Gin Sour Cocktail

What is Gin Sour Cocktail