Trinidad Sour

The Trinidad Sour is one of the most unique cocktails! The amount of bitters sounds like a typo, but it’s a deliciously balanced drink.

After making 300+ homemade cocktails, here’s one that surprised us. One look at the ingredient list in a Trinidad Sour, and you’ll think it’s a typo. 1 ½ ounces of Angostura bitters? Most cocktails call for only a dash or two of bitters, but 3 whole tablespoons? It’s no joke. This inventive modern classic sounds unpalatable on paper. But add the almond-citrus notes of orgeat syrup, zingy fresh lemon, and spicy rye whiskey, and it’s a true revelation. This is one cocktail we think everyone should try.

What’s a Trinidad Sour?

The Trinidad Sour is a modern classic cocktail that stars an unprecedented amount of Angostura bitters, along with lemon juice, orgeat syrup and whiskey. It was created in 2009 by New York City bartender Giuseppe Gonzalez, who was inspired by the award-winning Trinidad Especial cocktail. The Trinidad Especial uses lime and Pisco, but the concept is the same: an ungodly amount of bitters in a drink. All other cocktails only use a dash or two, but these cocktails call for bitters as an actual liqueur.

Here’s the thing: it works! The Angostura bitters meld into the sweet and sour flavors to make a surprisingly balanced drink. It’s sour, complex, and herbal, with a bitter finish. This one’s a true standout! It became recognized as an International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktail, meaning it has an official definition. The ingredients you’ll need are:

• Angostura bitters
• Orgeat syrup
• Lemon juice
• Rye whiskey

This drink uses almost half a bottle of Angostura bitters

Angostura bitters are popularly used in cocktails to add complexity and nuance to the finish of each sip. Some of the most popular cocktails with a few dashes of bitters? The mighty Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. Keep in mind: the Trinidad Sour uses almost half a 4 ounce bottle of bitters! So it’s great for if you’re trying to use them up. Or if you love this cocktail, make sure to stock up! Here’s a little more about this special cocktail ingredient:

• Cocktail bitters are small bottles of spirits infused with botanicals (herbs and spices) that are used to flavor cocktails. They’re essential in modern mixology, as they take drinks from one-note to extraordinarily complex in just a few shakes.
• Angostura bitters one of the most popular types of bitters, and are easy to find at your local liquor store or online. They get the name from their manufacturer: the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago.
• What cocktails use Angostura bitters? Try the Old Fashioned, Champagne Cocktail, Toronto, Manhattan, Sazerac, Pisco Sour, and loads more.

What is orgeat syrup?

The other special ingredient in a Trinidad Sour? Orgeat syrup! This unique cocktail syrup gives the drink an intrigue in flavor and a rich texture. It’s absolutely needed here: so no substitutes! What exactly is orgeat?

• Orgeat syrup is a non-alcoholic almond syrup used for sweetening cocktails. It has a distinctive nutty flavor with a hint of citrus. It’s easy to find orgeat at your local liquor store or online.
• How do you pronounce orgeat? Say Or-ZHAAT in your best French accent, where the “ZH” is like the J in the name Jacque.
• What other cocktails use it? Use it to make a classic Mai Tai, Japanese Cocktail, or a Virgin Mojito.
• How much does orgeat syrup cost? You can grab a bottle for about $10. It’s easy to find online: here’s a link to buy orgeat syrup.

How to make a Trinidad Sour

Once you’ve got your ingredients, the Trinidad Sour is nothing more than shaking and straining! Here’s what to do:

1. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
2. Strain into a glass. That’s it! You don’t even need a garnish. If you’d like one, you can always add a lemon peel.

When to serve a Trinidad Sour

The Trinidad Sour is a surprising drink that’s great for impressing well-versed drinkers. Because it uses half a bottle of bitters, it’s not great for serving for a crowd. Make it as a one-off drink to impress guests! You can serve it as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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