Rum 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 Rum Sour sits in the broad “sour” family: a spirit-forward drink balanced by citrus and sweetness, often softened with egg for a silkier texture. You’ll find it feels like a rum-led cousin to other classic sours, swapping in the deeper, funkier character of Jamaican rum while keeping that bright, refreshing backbone. It’s a straightforward, timeless template rather than a drink tied to one definitive origin story, and it leans on balance and mouthfeel to make its point.
On the palate, Jamaican rum brings bold molasses-like depth that plays against the snap of lime juice. Simple syrup smooths the edges, rounding the lime’s sharpness so the rum stays front and centre. Orange juice adds a softer, sweeter citrus layer that broadens the fruit profile without overtaking the lime. The egg ties it all together, giving you a creamy, velvety body and a gentler finish where the citrus feels integrated rather than piercing.
Serve it in a cocktail glass when you want something that’s both bright and indulgent—refreshing enough for warm evenings, but plush enough to feel like a treat. It’s a great pick if you enjoy citrusy drinks yet want more depth than a straight rum-and-lime mix, and it suits anyone who likes their cocktails balanced, rounded, and a little luxurious.
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:
Jamaican rum leads with funky molasses depth, wrapped in bright lime juice and rounder orange juice, while simple syrup smooths the edges and egg turns it into a creamy, citrusy foam-topped sip. It works because the lime’s sharpness and rum’s heft are cushioned by orange and egg, making it ideal for sour lovers who want richness without losing zing.
Method
How to make a Rum Sour
- Jamaican rum 30ml, Sugar / simple syrup 12.5ml, Lime juice 25ml, Orange juice 25ml, Egg 15ml
-
- Begin by combining all your ingredients in a shaker with ice, ensuring a vigorous shake for about 10-15 seconds or until the shaker feels frosted on the outside
-
- Next, strain the mixture back into the shaker, but remove the ice this time for a dry shake; this step helps to emulsify the ingredients, giving a nice texture
-
- Proceed with a good dry shake for another 10-15 seconds; this is crucial for achieving a smooth consistency
-
- Finally, fine strain the cocktail into a chilled glass; this ensures your drink is velvety and free from ice shards or any larger bits
-
- Enjoy your beautifully crafted drink, appreciating the layers of flavor and texture you've created
Power tips
Elevate the Rum 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- Use freshly squeezed lime and orange juice for the best flavor and aroma.
- Perform a dry shake (shaking without ice) after the initial shake to properly emulsify the egg white for a smooth and frothy texture.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What type of rum is best to use for a Rum Sour?
For a Rum Sour, using Jamaican rum, as specified in the recipe, is ideal due to its rich and robust flavor. Jamaican rum typically offers a higher level of esters which contribute to a fuller taste, enhancing the cocktail's complexity and depth.
Can I make a Rum Sour without egg?
Yes, you can make a Rum Sour without egg. The egg white is used to give the cocktail a smooth texture and a frothy top, but if you're vegan or allergic to eggs, you can substitute it with aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) or simply omit it for a lighter version.
Is it necessary to use fresh lime and orange juice for a Rum Sour?
While it's not absolutely necessary, using fresh lime and orange juice is highly recommended for making a Rum Sour. Fresh juices provide a brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to their store-bought counterparts, significantly enhancing the overall taste of the cocktail.
What garnish is suitable for a Rum Sour?
A classic garnish for a Rum Sour would be a slice of orange or a lime wheel. Additionally, a cherry can be added for a touch of color and sweetness. The choice of garnish can be tailored to personal preference or to enhance the visual appeal of the drink.
How can I adjust the alcohol content in a Rum Sour?
To adjust the alcohol content in a Rum Sour, you can modify the amount of Jamaican rum included. Reducing the rum will lower the alcohol content and make the drink lighter, while increasing it will do the opposite. Remember, altering the amount of rum will also affect the total volume and the balance of flavors, so adjustments should be made carefully.
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
Relish this vibrant and exotic rum sensation
Rum Swizzle
Jamaican rum, Lime juice, Falernum, Aromatic bitters, Lemon juice, Sugar / simple syrup
Indulge in this classic rum and citrus fusion.
Planter’s Punch
Jamaican rum, Lime juice, Sugar / simple syrup
Discover this creamy mix of rum and banana
Frozen Banana Daiquiri
Jamaican rum, Overproof rum, Coconut cordial, Lime juice, Banana, Salt
Discover this Caribbean twist on the classic Old Fashioned
Rum Old Fashioned
Jamaican rum, Overproof rum, Falernum, Sugar / simple syrup, Aromatic bitters
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