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Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: Mar 31, 2022 · Modified: Mar 7, 2023 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

The Best Rum Sour

Jump to Recipe
Two rum sour cocktails on a white marble tray with flowers and lemons around them with text overlay on top.
Two rum sour cocktails on a white marble tray with flowers and lemons around them with text overlay on top.

Get excited, my fellow rum lovers — this classic rum sour is your perfect refreshing cocktail! Featuring a smooth, frothy topping that makes for an impressive presentation, the rum sour perfectly shows off a well-balanced cocktail with sweet and sour notes. Plus, this rum sour recipe is great for just about any occasion. After one sip, don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to rum cocktail you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

Two rum sour cocktails on a white wooden board with flowers and lemon slices around them.
Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Get More Rum Cocktail Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Allows the rum to shine: So many tropical rum cocktails include multiple fruit juices, so you miss the nuances of the rum. And that’s not a dig — I love my Painkiller cocktail with cream of coconut, pineapple juice and orange juice. But a high-quality dark rum is so delicious that sometimes you need to let it take center stage. 

Makes you look like a master mixologist: With that beautiful frothy white topping, this drink is sure to get you plenty of accolades when you set it down in front of your guests. 

Perfect for a fancy dinner party or casual backyard gathering: Sure, this cocktail is beautiful enough to serve at a classy occasion, but with that tropical Caribbean rum, it’s perfect for a little tiki party on the patio. Who doesn’t appreciate a versatile recipe that can stay in your back pocket?

Ingredients

The ingredients on a light-colored board with labels.

Rum: We want a dark aged rum as the base liquor for this recipe — save the light rum for mojitos. Getting deep into the rum world is incredibly complex, but to keep it simple, a dark rum is typically distilled from sugar cane molasses and then ages in charred oak barrels. The barrel-aging process imparts sweet vanilla, caramel and spice notes that make for a rich, complex spirit. I recommend getting the highest-quality dark rum that fits your budget.

Orgeat: This is a sweetener made from almonds. Orgeat is commonly used in rum tiki drinks, so I thought this would make a fun nod to rum’s Caribbean roots. Wow, it did not disappoint. To me, the orgeat really gives this rum sour a special touch. You can pick this up at the store or make your own orgeat syrup.

Lemon juice: This is the classic citrus used in sour cocktails. Make sure you use fresh lemon juice. Bottled juice or sour mix is not nearly as bright as real juice, and a good sour cocktail is all about using the best ingredients available. 

Egg white: If you’re new to home bartending, this may sound weird, but egg white is actually a common cocktail ingredient. This is what gives us that silky topping.

Don’t worry – it doesn’t taste eggy whatsoever. Honestly, the topping is almost tasteless. It’s more about adding a velvety texture.

Bitters: I used the standard angostura bitters. Again, I really want to let that rum shine. That said, I’m sure this rum sour would work well with orange bitters or spiced bitters, like ginger or cardamom.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: We begin by adding the rum, orgeat, lemon juice, egg white and a couple dashes of bitters to a cocktail shaker (photo 1). At this point, we do not add ice.

Pouring the dark rum into a crystal cocktail shaker on a wooden board.

Step 2: Now we shake the drink for 30 seconds (photo 2). This is what’s known as the dry shake. 

Doing the dry shake without ice with two hands holding the cocktail shaker.

Step 3: After the first shake, we remove the top and add a handful of fresh ice cubes (photo 3). 

Adding the ice to a crystal cocktail shaker after the dry shake.

Step 4: From here, we shake the drink again with the ice (photo 4). And you guessed it – this is our wet shake.

Shaking the drink in a crystal cocktail shaker for the second time with ice.

Step 5: For our final step, we strain the rum sour into a chilled coupe, sour or martini glass (photo 5). If you’re feeling fancy, a lemon twist makes a lovely garnish. Some people also like to add some decorative bitters on top of the drink.

Straining the drink into a chilled sour glass on a wooden board.

All that’s left is to sip and enjoy! And if you love this delicious sour cocktail, don't miss these drinks.

  • Boston sour
  • Maple whiskey sour
  • Cherry vodka sour
  • Aperol sour
  • Tequila sour
  • Spiced cranberry whiskey sour

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between a sour and a daiquiri?

Both have rum, citrus and a sweetener, but a few differences between the two make for very different drinks and flavor profiles. Traditionally, a daiquiri uses white rum, simple syrup and lime juice while a rum sour uses dark rum and lemon juice. Simple syrup is also common in a sour, but you’ll see more variations of sweetener like you do here with the orgeat. A sour also typically includes the egg white topping, which a daiquiri does not.

Can you prepare a sour cocktail ahead of time?

You can make the sour cocktail base ahead of time, but you have to make the egg white topping just before serving. This allows you to more quickly prepare batches for a party. The proportions and directions are available in the notes section of the recipe card.

Is it safe to add egg whites to a drink?

These days, the risk that comes with using a raw egg white is minimal. For extra safe serving, use inspected eggs with no cracks and store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator in the original container. A pasteurized egg is also great if you’re worried.

What’s the best way to chill a glass?

We have two easy options to chill the cocktail glass with one requiring just a touch of planning while the other you can do as you whip up the drink. For the first option, store the cocktail glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes – it’s as simple as that. 

If you forget or make this sour cocktail on a whim, fill the serving glass with cold ice water while mixing. Just before serving, stir the ice water for about 30 seconds and then pour the water and ice down the sink. Just like that, you have a chilled glass.

What’s the proper glassware for a sour cocktail?

I love serving this in a sour glass, which is specifically designed with an outwardly curved edge. This helps to guide that egg white topping directly onto your tongue and usher in the rum’s wonderful fragrance. Beyond the functionality, these glasses make a beautiful presentation.

Of course, this is a specialty glass that not everyone keeps in stock. Instead, a coupe glass or even a martini glass work great. An old fashioned glass also takes care of the job.

Looking down with two rum sour cocktails with white flowers and lemons.

Variations and Substitutions

Looking to make some recipe tweaks to fit your palate? Here are a few ideas.

  • Matt and I tried this rum sour with both orgeat and simple syrup. We both agreed the orgeat gave this cocktail an even more delicious touch, but the version with sugar syrup is still great.
  • You can also try an alternative sweetener, such as maple syrup, honey syrup or an infused syrup. For an infused syrup, ginger syrup, cherry syrup, raspberry syrup, chai syrup or vanilla bean syrup would all work nicely.
  • If you have an egg allergy or just aren’t comfortable using a raw egg, you can substitute it for Fee Foam, which does not include any egg product, or 2 tablespoons of aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas.

Expert Tips

Don't let the egg white scare you: While recommended for best results, you can leave out the egg white or use an alternative frothing product. Again, the egg white does not give the cocktail a weird taste – I know that can sound bizarre to someone who has never had an egg white cocktail. The rum sour will still be delicious without it, but you’ll miss that wonderful texture.

Of course, some people have allergies or just aren’t comfortable using a raw egg. In that case, you can use Fee Foam, which does not include any egg product.

If you’re using a metal cocktail shaker: You might find using a mason jar with a solid lid is easier for the dry shake, and then you can use a regular cocktail shaker for the wet shake. In general, metal cocktail shakers rely on the cold ice to help create the seal while shaking, so the dry shake can get a bit messy and leak. 

We don’t want to waste that precious drink. A lidded jar takes care of that. If you don’t have a jar like that, you might want to wrap the shaker in a kitchen towel for the dry shake.

Pick the right lemon: Get a lemon that has some give when you gently squeeze it. A hard lemon is a sign that it’s dried out. 

Perfect Pairing

This rum-based cocktail calls for a Caribbean-inspired meal. Start with a bowl of my mango-habanero salsa or tropical pico de gallo and follow that up some lobster tacos, jerk chicken or jerk pork. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with some coconut-lime rice or bacon macaroni salad on the side. For dessert, my spiced orange tres leches is perfect with the vanilla and caramel flavors of the dark rum. 

Sounds like one delicious meal, huh? You’re about to be full and happy. 

For a cocktail that perfectly celebrates this favorite Caribbean spirit, I hope you make this rum sour. It’s the perfect refresher for any occasion.

Cheers!

Looking straight on to two rum sour cocktails with white and yellow flowers in the background.

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If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

Two rum sour cocktails on a white wooden board with flowers and lemon slices around them.

Rum Sour

Get excited, my fellow rum lovers — this classic rum sour is your perfect refreshing cocktail! Featuring a smooth, frothy topping that makes for an impressive presentation, the rum sour perfectly shows off a well-balanced cocktail with sweet and sour notes. Plus, this rum sour recipe is great for just about any occasion. After one sip, don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to rum cocktail you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
5 from 83 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: Caribbean
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 229kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with solid lid
  • Jigger or small measuring cup
  • Handheld citrus juicer

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces dark rum
  • 1 ounce orgeat
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 fresh egg white
  • 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters
  • Ice
  • Lemon twist for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Add the dark rum, orgeat, lemon juice, egg white and bitters to the cocktail shaker or mason jar without ice. Seal and shake for 30 seconds. This is the dry shake.
  • Open the shaker or jar and add a big handful of ice. Seal and shake vigorously for a minute or two. This is the wet shake, and it's a longer shake to properly build the topping froth.
  • Strain into a chilled sour, coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you'd like to make a 12-serving batch ahead of time, stir together 3 cups rum, 1 ½ cups orgeat and 1 ½ cups lemon juice together in a pitcher and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to serve, add 4 ounces of the rum mixture per drink to the cocktail shaker along with the bitters and egg white for each drink. Proceed with the rest of the recipe. I recommend making one to two drinks at a time.
  • While I think orgeat gives this drink the best flavor, you can substitute it for simple syrup.
  • Some cocktail shakers don't seal very well without ice. If your cocktail shaker leaks during the dry shake, you might want to wrap a kitchen towel around it for the first shake or use a mason jar with a solid lid. You can use a cocktail shaker for the wet shake or continue to use the jar. When straining with the mason jar, left the lid so that the liquid can come out but the ice stays in the jar.
  • Get a lemon that has some give when you gently squeeze it. A hard lemon is a sign that it’s dried out. I only recommend using fresh juice, not bottled juice.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Marie-Pierre Breton says

    March 01, 2023 at 2:11 am

    5 stars
    Love dark rum and a pisco sour! This drink is the perfect mix of the two and loved the flavor the orgeat added.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:26 am

      Sounds like it was truly perfect for you!

      Reply
  2. Tammy says

    April 10, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    5 stars
    I have never had orgeat but I have to get it now..that sounds absolutely beautiful in this cocktail. Gorgeous spring drink. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:38 pm

      You'll definitely love it! Once you get a bottle, you'll find it's delicious in a ton of tiki drinks for summer.

      Reply
  3. Jacqueline Debono says

    April 10, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    I love dark rum so I'm sure I'd enjoy this rum sour. I've never heard the name orgeat but it sounds like Italian orzata. Need to check that out.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:37 pm

      I hope you do!

      Reply
  4. Annie says

    April 10, 2022 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    This cocktail is delicious and refreshing! I also love how it is not to sweet!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      I'll cheers to that!

      Reply
  5. Marie says

    April 10, 2022 at 11:06 am

    5 stars
    This is a super elegant cocktail! Loved the flavor of orgeat, I'd never used it before and it was definitely worth hunting the ingredient down! I loved that the cocktail is not too sweet. Perfectly down my alley, I'll be making it again and again!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Love hearing that! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  6. Veronika says

    April 08, 2022 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    I recently bought orgeat so I'm excited to try it in this cocktail! Anything with rum makes me think of summer, this will be perfect for our upcoming patio bbqs.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Absolutely! This is the perfect way to break in that bottle of orgeat.

      Reply
  7. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    April 07, 2022 at 8:29 am

    5 stars
    I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever had a rum sour (and that needs to change)! This looks fabulous and fresh and love the "frothy!"

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      You will be glad you tried it! It's so good.

      Reply
  8. Marta says

    April 05, 2022 at 8:45 am

    5 stars
    As a Puerto Rican, I give this rum sour the seal of approval. It was so airy thanks to that dry shake. Perfect cocktail for a chill Sunday evening at home.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      That makes me so happy! Thank you for such a nice comment.

      Reply
  9. Maya says

    April 05, 2022 at 7:46 am

    5 stars
    I've had issues with sours before because I put the ice in from the beginning and wound up with little pieces of frozen egg white... Not a great thing in your cocktail! But the dry shake took care of that issue and this turned out great!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      Oh, I am so happy to hear that tip worked for you! Yay to more frothy sour cocktails!

      Reply
  10. Raksha says

    April 04, 2022 at 11:57 pm

    5 stars
    I'm trying this drink! I am new to home bartending and I just learned that egg whites can be added to cocktails.
    Thanks for sharing helpful details.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 12, 2022 at 4:28 pm

      You will love it! It really does add a special something.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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