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    Home » Cocktails » Vodka

    Tangy New England Vodka Sour

    LAST UPDATED: January 2, 2020 PUBLISHED: January 2, 2020 By Pam Greer 5 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    If you've never tried a New England Vodka Sour, you are in for a real treat.  This vodka sour gets it's sour from grapefruit juice and it's sweet from maple syrup!   Easy to make and easy to drink! 

    Two glasses filled with a bright orange cocktail garnished with a pink grapefruit wedge.

    What is a Sour Cocktail?

    One thing you soon learn when you get into making cocktails is that they frequently are built upon a basic building block.  Take away or add ingredients to that basic formula and you have a different cocktail. 

    If you start out with liquor, a sweetener and bitters, you have an old fashioned.   Replace the sweetener with sweet vermouth, you have a Manhattan.   Add in a sour, like a citrus juice, you have a sour cocktail. 

    So the basic formula for a sour is a liquor, a sweetener and a sour.  Play with that formula and you can make all kinds of sours!  While most people think of whiskey sours, you can make a vodka sour, which is what I am sharing with you today. 

    Vodka, maple syrup, bitters and grapefruit.

    Ingredients to Make this New England Vodka Sour

    Vodka - For this recipe we used Castle & Key.

    Maple Syrup - use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup.

    Bitters - Angostura.  Though you could play with the bitters a bit, maybe try a citrus or something with warming spices.

    Grapefruit juice - fresh squeezed is best, though bottled grapefruit juice is pretty good.  Be sure and save some grapefruit juice to make a Greyhound Cocktail - all you need for it is the vodka and the grapefruit juice! 

    Photo collage showing the first two steps for building a vodka sour.

    How to Make this Vodka Sour

    This is such an easy cocktail to make, it is built in the glass, meaning that you don't even need a cocktail shaker! 

    Start by filling a rock's glass with ice. 

    Add 2 ounces of vodka to the glass.

    Photo collage showing maple syrup and grapefruit juice added to the cocktail glass.

    Add ½ ounce of maple syrup to the glass.

    Pour 4 ounces of grapefruit juice into the cocktail glass. 

    Bitters added to cocktail glass and cocktail being stirred.

    Top with 2 dashes (a dash is ⅛ teaspoon) of bitters. 

    Stir.  

    Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or twist! 

    Cocktail glass filled with a dark orange cocktail garnished with a grapefruit wedge.

    This is such an interesting and delicious cocktail!  The maple gives it an earthy sweetness and the grapefruit juice gives it a tangy tartness.  Perfectly balanced cocktail! 

    If you're looking for more cocktails using vodka, be sure and check out these Vodka Cocktails. 

    Looking for more sour cocktail variations try these:  the fruity Blackberry Whiskey Sour, a Peach Bourbon Sour made from a peach shrub, gorgeous deep orange Blood Orange Whiskey Sour, and for a little spice a Mango Habanero Whiskey Sour. 

    If you make this I would love it if you would follow me and tag me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

    Orange cocktail garnished with a grapefruit wedge.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 35 votes

    New England Vodka Sour

    This New England Vodka Sour Cocktail is as easy to make as it is to drink!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 231kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces vodka
    • ½ ounce maple syrup
    • 4 ounces grapefruit juice
    • 2 dashes Angostura bitters ¼ teaspoon
    • grapefruit wedge for garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill a rocks glass with ice.
    • Add vodka, maple syrup, grapefruit juice, and bitters.
    • Stir.
    • Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

    Notes

    Maple syrup - use real maple syrup, not "pancake syrup."
    Fresh grapefruit juice is best, but a good quality bottled one will be okay. 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erika says

      January 02, 2020 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so amazing! Trying this for sure this weekend!

      Reply
    2. Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says

      January 02, 2020 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous! I usually just have vodka and grapefruit, love the addition of maple syrup and bitters. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Andrea Metlika says

      January 02, 2020 at 11:13 am

      5 stars
      These sound delicious! Grapefruit is a great addition.

      Reply
    4. Katie says

      January 02, 2020 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      Okay this drink is delicious! I love sours, and the addition of maple makes it so good! Excellent winter beverage!

      Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony says

      January 02, 2020 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      I don't love whiskey so this vodka sour is right up my alley. The color of this drink is so much fun too.

      Reply
    5 from 35 votes (30 ratings without comment)

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    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

    Hi, I'm Pam. I'm the person who plans whole vacations around where to eat and drink. Beautiful scenery is optional.

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