Wild Berry Vodka Sour
A wild berry vodka sour is a tart, fruit-forward cocktail built around vodka, mixed berries and fresh lemon. The finished drink should be cold and vivid,…
- The finished drink should be cold and vivid, with enough sweetness to soften the citrus without hiding the berries.
- Fine-straining is the small but important step that keeps seeds and pulp out of the glass.
- The measured liquid ingredients total 4 1/4 oz (127.5 ml) before shaking. Added dilution from the ice will increase the final volume slightly.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the outside becomes thoroughly cold.
- For homemade purée, thaw frozen mixed berries or use fresh berries, then blend or crush and press them through a fine sieve.
A wild berry vodka sour is a tart, fruit-forward cocktail built around vodka, mixed berries and fresh lemon. The finished drink should be cold and vivid, with enough sweetness to soften the citrus without hiding the berries. Fine-straining is the small but important step that keeps seeds and pulp out of the glass.
Wild Berry Vodka Sour Recipe
Yield: 1 cocktail
Serve in: A rocks glass filled with fresh ice, or a chilled coupe without ice
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) unflavoured vodka
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz (22.5 ml) unsweetened mixed-berry purée
- 1/2 oz (15 ml) simple syrup
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- 3 fresh berries or 1 lemon twist, for garnish
The measured liquid ingredients total 4 1/4 oz (127.5 ml) before shaking. Added dilution from the ice will increase the final volume slightly.
Method
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, mixed-berry purée and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the outside becomes thoroughly cold.
- Fine-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. For an ice-free serve, fine-strain into a chilled coupe instead.
- Garnish with three fresh berries or a lemon twist.
For homemade purée, thaw frozen mixed berries or use fresh berries, then blend or crush and press them through a fine sieve. Do not sweeten the purée before measuring it; the separate simple syrup makes the final balance easier to control.
Berry sweetness varies. If the first sip is sharper than you prefer, stir in a small splash of simple syrup. If it tastes too sweet, add a small squeeze of lemon. Make these adjustments after following the base recipe so you have a consistent starting point.
Choosing the Vodka and Berries
A clean, unflavoured vodka keeps the cocktail focused on fresh fruit and citrus. Flavoured vodka can work, but it may introduce additional sweetness or shift the berry balance.
Blackberries and raspberries contribute tartness and a deep colour, while strawberries and blueberries tend to give the mixture a rounder fruit character. A combination works well, provided the finished purée is strained and measured rather than added by eye.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I fine-strain this berry sour?
A fine strainer catches seeds, fruit skin and small ice fragments. This gives the drink a smoother texture while preserving its fresh berry flavor.
What style of vodka works best in this cocktail?
Choose a clean, unflavoured vodka that lets the berries and lemon remain prominent. A berry-flavoured vodka can be used, but it may make the fruit character sweeter or more pronounced.
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