Trinidad Sour Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Trinidad Sour is a modern sour that flips the usual formula on its head, putting aromatic bitters in the starring role rather than using them as a dash. It’s a contemporary, bar-born style of drink—built like a whiskey sour, but with the proportions pushed into bold, bitters-forward territory. The result feels both familiar and surprising: a cocktail that reads like a classic template, yet tastes unmistakably new-school.
You’ll find rye whiskey brings a lean, spicy backbone that keeps the drink from turning overly sweet. Lemon juice cuts straight through with bright acidity, sharpening the edges and lifting the aromatics. Orgeat syrup adds a rich, nutty sweetness that rounds out the citrus and softens the intensity of the aromatic bitters, while the bitters themselves deliver concentrated spice and perfume that linger long after the sip.
Serve this in a cocktail glass when you want something assertive and conversation-starting—ideal for fans of sours who also love depth and intensity. It suits after-dinner sipping, cooler evenings, or any moment you’re in the mood for a drink that’s equal parts plush, sharp, and unapologetically bold.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Aromatic bitters dominate with intense spice and herbaceous bite, rounded by the nutty sweetness of orgeat syrup, while lemon juice brings sharp brightness and rye whiskey adds a dry, grainy backbone. It works because the lemon’s acidity and rye’s structure rein in the orgeat and bitters, suiting adventurous sour drinkers who love bold, bitter-leaning flavors.
Method
How to make a Trinidad Sour
- Rye whiskey 15ml, Lemon juice 20ml, Aromatic bitters 30ml, Orgeat syrup 30ml
-
- Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
-
- Shake well then strain into chilled cocktail glass
-
- Garnish with a cherry and a wedge of lemon and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Trinidad Sour with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Balance the strong bitter profile by using an orgeat syrup that contains a hint of rose or orange blossom water, which will add a delicate floral undertone.
- Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel instead of a regular wedge to add a concentrated citrus aroma without adding additional acidity to the cocktail.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Trinidad Sour?
The Trinidad Sour was invented by Giuseppe Gonzalez at the Clover Club in Brooklyn, New York, in the late 2000s. Its creation is a testament to the inventive modern bartending era, inspired by the challenge of using Angostura Bitters in a substantial amount rather than as a mere accent ingredient.
Why does the Trinidad Sour use such a high amount of Angostura Bitters?
The high amount of Angostura Bitters in the Trinidad Sour is unconventional as bitters are typically used in small quantities due to their potent flavor. However, in this cocktail, the bitters act as a primary ingredient, contributing a complex layer of flavors that balance with the sweetness of the orgeat syrup and the acidity of the lemon juice, creating a unique tasting experience.
Can I substitute Angostura Bitters with another type of bitters in the Trinidad Sour?
While Angostura Bitters are a key ingredient in the Trinidad Sour, offering a distinct flavor profile, you might experiment with other aromatic bitters if desired. However, this will significantly alter the taste of the cocktail, as different bitters have various herbs, spices, and flavorings that could clash or complement the other ingredients unpredictably.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Trinidad Sour?
To make a non-alcoholic version of the Trinidad Sour, you can substitute the rye whiskey with a non-alcoholic spirit or whiskey alternative. There are also non-alcoholic bitters available that can mimic the flavor profile of Angostura Bitters. However, the unique character of the cocktail might change, so adjustments to the proportions of the other ingredients could be necessary for balance.
How should I serve the Trinidad Sour?
The Trinidad Sour should be served cold in a cocktail glass. It is typically shaken with ice to chill it thoroughly and then strained into the glass to ensure a smooth, refreshing experience. Garnishing with a lemon twist or a cherry can add an extra visual appeal and a slight aromatic enhancement.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this refined mix of whiskey and vermouth.
South of Brooklyn
Rye whiskey, Dark rum, Amaro, Maraschino cherry liqueur, White wine, White vermouth, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters
Uncover this bold fusion of whiskey and Amaro
Island Voodoo
Rye whiskey, Lemon liqueur, Amaro
Dive into this aromatic blend of rye and Amaro
Black Manhattan
Rye whiskey, Amaro, Aromatic bitters, Orange bitters
Silver Lining
Rye whiskey, Licor 43 (Cuarenta Y Tres) Liqueur, Lemon juice, Soda water, Egg
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we'll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we'll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments