Apricot Stone Sour
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 12% ABV ∙
The Apricot Stone Sour is a low-proof variation of the classic template, built directly on apricot brandy liqueur, fresh orange, and lime juice. Sherbet-sharp stone-fruit notes lead the profile, cut by a crisp tartness and softened with a mellow citrus splash into an easy pour for anytime sipping.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Apricot brandy liqueur 60 mlOrange juice 15 mlLime juice 30 mlSugar syrup 5 mlOrange bitters 2 dashesSaline solution 1 dash
- Fine strain into the ice-filled glass
- Garnish with an apricot wedge or half
Tips
- Squeeze the citrus fresh; apricot liqueur is intensely sweet, and fresh lime is what keeps it from turning cloying.
- Go easy on the sugar syrup and taste first — the liqueur already carries plenty of sweetness on its own.
- Add a dash of saline to sharpen the fruit and pull the whole drink into focus.
- Fine-strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass so no pulp or shards dull the finish.
History
An apricot stone sour is a sour with orange juice added alongside the usual citrus, and the apricot version puts apricot brandy in the base spirit's place. The drink is documented in Vincent Sardi Jr. and George Shea's 1988 Sardi's Bar Guide, which describes the "Apricot (Brandy) Stone Sour" and notes plainly that "a stone sour is, of course, a sour with the addition of orange juice." That earlier version leaned on lemon juice and a touch of superfine sugar; modern builds, including this one, lean on lime instead. It belongs to a broad stone sour family that swaps in different base spirits — bourbon, gin, amaretto, and others.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Sour and a Stone Sour?
The difference comes down to a single ingredient: orange juice. While a traditional sour template strictly relies on a base spirit, sharp citrus (lemon or lime), and sweetener, a Stone Sour adds a splash of orange juice. This addition mellows the sharp tartness and gives the drink a rounder, more fruit-forward profile.
How do you make an Apricot Stone Sour?
Combine apricot brandy liqueur, freshly squeezed orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake the ingredients vigorously with ice to chill and dilute, then strain over fresh ice. For a more complex profile, you can add a dash of saline solution and orange bitters to beautifully sharpen the stone-fruit notes.
Is an Apricot Stone Sour shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The orange and lime juice need the aeration and quick chill of a shake to blend properly with the sweet liqueur; stirring would leave it flat and unbalanced.
What glass is an Apricot Stone Sour served in?
An old-fashioned glass filled with ice. The drink is fine-strained over fresh ice and garnished with an apricot wedge.
