Gin Sour

Lore & Background

The gin sour belongs to the sour family of mixed drinks, one of the old families of original cocktails described by Jerry Thomas in his 1862 book How to Mix Drinks. Sours are defined as containing a base liquor, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener such as simple syrup or orgeat syrup; egg whites are included in some sours. The gin sour predates Prohibition in the United States and was popular during the 1940s.

Reader's Guide

The gin sour is a foundational cocktail within the sour family, which also includes the whiskey sour, pisco sour, and rum sour. Its simple formula—gin, lemon juice, and sugar—makes it a direct ancestor of the gin fizz, which adds carbonated water. Kevin Starr included the gin sour in an array of drinks that now seem period pieces, evocative of another era. The drink's historical significance lies in its representation of pre-Prohibition American cocktail culture and its enduring presence as a classic recipe. Its legacy is tied to the broader sour tradition, which has spawned numerous variations such as the amaretto sour, brandy sour, and tequila sour.

Did You Know?

• Adding carbonated water to a gin sour turns it into a gin fizz.
• The gin sour was popular during the 1940s.
• Kevin Starr described the gin sour as a period piece evocative of another era.