The History of the Sour

At Twisted Alchemy, we are in the citrus business. Though we love all our juices equally (really, we do), citrus holds a special place in the hearts of bartenders and cocktail lovers alike. Much of this is due to the long and storied history of the cocktail sour.

The first recipes for sour cocktails were found in 1862 in Jerry Thomas’ “The Bartender’s Guide”, and included the classic build of lemon and a spoonful of sugar. 

Though contested, like most cocktail histories, many attribute the cocktail sour to the British Navy. In the early 1600s, sailors often kept rum purchased in the Caribbean aboard, which they combined with lime to prevent scurvy and to mask the often offensive flavors of a liquor made without regulation or sanitation. This drink, often called Grog, became popular on the mainland in Punch Houses that served some of the nascent forms of beverages we still enjoy today. Though sours have been drunk in many forms since then, the first recipes for sour cocktails were found in 1862 in Jerry Thomas’ “The Bartender’s Guide”, and included the classic build of lemon and a spoonful of sugar. 

These key ingredients remain a foundational part of the cocktail sours ordered in bars all over the world today. The basic structure- liquor, citrus, sweetener, and a foaming agent make a pretty irresistible drink, so it is no wonder little variation has been introduced over time. Contemporary bars often use sour mixes to add the combined tartness and sweetness in with one jigger pour. At Twisted Alchemy, our Lemon Sour Mix and Lime Sour Mix use Organic Colombian Sugar dissolved in water and 50% of our Cold Pressed juice to provide perfect balance.

This may seem like a broad category- the mind reels with cocktails that utilize this killer combination of sweetness, tang, and texture to balance out the punch of a spirit. Nearly every spirit has a classic sour cocktail that accompanies it on bar menus everywhere.Though the most famous, the Whiskey Sour certainly does not begin or end this refreshing list. Many of the world’s favorite cocktails belong to this diverse and vast family of cocktails. At Twisted Alchemy, some of our favorites include the vibrant Margarita, and the delightful Daiquiri- all of these beloved drinks utilize the delicious power of the sour.