IBA
Trinidad Sour – IBA
A sour and bitter aperitif & bitters cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17.1% ABV ∙
The Trinidad Sour is a sour with Angostura bitters as the main pour, not an accent, shaken with orgeat, lemon juice and a small measure of rye whiskey.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Angostura aromatic bitters 45 mlOrgeat (almond) syrup 30 mlLemon juice 22 mlRye whiskey 15 ml
- Strain into the chilled cocktail glass
Tips
- At 45 ml the Angostura is the base here, not an accent, so measure it as carefully as any spirit; an uneven pour throws the whole drink out.
History
The Trinidad Sour was created by bartender Giuseppe Gonzalez while working at the Clover Club in Brooklyn, New York. He introduced it in a 2009 cocktail competition, where its unconventional build using Angostura aromatic bitters as the base rather than as a mere accent flavor caused it to be poorly received, failing to place in the contest's top ten.
Despite that rocky debut, the drink gradually won over bartenders and drinkers for its unusual structure, eventually becoming recognized as a modern classic and entering the International Bartenders Association's official cocktail list in the 2020 update.
FAQ
How do you make a Trinidad Sour?
Shake 45 ml Angostura bitters, 30 ml orgeat, 22 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml rye whiskey with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
What is a Trinidad Sour?
A sour that flips the usual proportions: 45 ml of Angostura aromatic bitters is the main ingredient, with orgeat, lemon juice and just 15 ml of rye whiskey. It tastes spiced and bittersweet rather than boozy.
Is the Trinidad Sour a strong drink?
Moderately, at about 17.1% ABV, but it does not taste boozy. The sweet orgeat and the heavy spice of the bitters cover the alcohol, and the rye is only 15 ml.
