The Cherry Vodka Sour is a refreshing and flavorful cocktail that combines the smoothness of vodka with the bright, tangy flavor of fresh cherries. A fun twist on the traditional whiskey sour, this drink adds a fruity flair while keeping the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a casual evening, the Cherry Vodka Sour is a delightful and easy-to-make cocktail that is sure to please.
The base of the Cherry Vodka Sour starts with vodka, which offers a neutral, clean foundation for the drink. The addition of fresh lemon juice gives it that signature sour tang, balancing the sweetness of the cherries. Fresh or maraschino cherries can be muddled to release their juicy flavor, creating a rich cherry syrup that adds depth and sweetness to the cocktail. A touch of simple syrup enhances the sweetness, while a dash of bitters can be added for complexity.
Once the ingredients are shaken together, the cocktail is served over ice in a rocks glass, with the vibrant pink hue of the drink making it visually appealing. The cherry flavor shines through, while the tang of lemon provides a refreshing kick. For an extra touch of elegance, garnish the drink with a cherry on top or a slice of lemon for a pop of color.
The Cherry Vodka Sour is versatile and can be easily customized to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can adjust the amount of simple syrup or add a little more cherry syrup. For those who like a stronger sour note, a bit more lemon juice can do the trick. The drink is perfect for warm-weather gatherings, but its balanced flavors make it a great option year-round.
Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a quiet evening, or looking for a refreshing drink to complement your meal, the Cherry Vodka Sour is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka plain or cherry-flavored
- 1 oz cherry juice unsweetened for more tartness
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 oz simple syrup adjust to taste
- 1 piece maraschino cherry for garnish
- 1 slice lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Add vodka, cherry juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lemon slice.
I don’t like cherries, so I wasn’t a fan. Maybe it’s better with regular vodka?
I totally get where you’re coming from! Maybe you can try it with a different juice instead of cherry. It could be interesting to experiment!
Super easy to make, but I added a bit more lemon juice and it was too sour for me! Next time will adjust the syrup.
This drink is delicious! The cherry flavor is just perfect. 🍒
Totally agree! Cherry flavor is the best part. 🍹
I don’t get the hype around this drink. It just tasted like cherry cough syrup to me. 🤢
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about cherry juice + lemon working together, but it actually slaps. I used regular vodka and it still tasted great.
Tried this for a party and it was a hit! Guests couldn’t stop asking for more. Will definitely make it again!
I don’t know, the lemon juice was way too strong for my taste. I think it could use less of that.
I totally get that! Lemon can be really overpowering sometimes. Maybe just try half as much next time?
I made this for a party, and everyone loved it! Easy to make, too.
I don’t know, it was a bit too sweet for me. I prefer my drinks on the sour side.
I totally get what you mean! You can easily cut back on the simple syrup for less sweetness. I like it sour too! 🍋
I was skeptical at first, but this actually turned out pretty good. I used regular vodka and it still tasted great! ⭐⭐⭐
Too much lemon juice! Who needs to taste a lemon war?
Looks great but what’s simple syrup? Can’t I just put in sugar? Seems like a lot of work.
You can just use sugar, but simple syrup helps it dissolve better in cold drinks! It’s easy to make, just mix equal parts sugar and water and heat it to dissolve. No biggie!
Just okay. Not super exciting. I think I’ll stick to my regular vodka tonic.
I totally get that! Vodka tonics are classic, but this is a fun twist if you’re feeling adventurous!
Cherry juice? Sounds weird. My friend tried something similar and said it was super sweet. I don’t know about that.
It’s alright but I think I’d like it better without the simple syrup. Too sweet for my taste!
Are cherries and lemons really supposed to go together? I dunno, seemed weird but it turned out surprisingly nice. Might try it again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome recipe! Can’t believe how quick it was to make. 🍋
I think cherry juice should be unsweetened for the recipe. Is that right?
I just don’t like cherries. 🤷♂️
Tasted good, but mine was way too sour until I bumped the simple syrup. Next time I’d start with less lemon or more syrup right away. Still a keeper!
Yummy drink! I added some soda water and it was refreshing. 10/10 for summer!
Glad you liked it! Soda water is a great idea to make it even more refreshing. I might try that next time!
10/10? Really? I thought it was too sweet. Are you sure you didn’t put too much syrup?
Way too sweet for my taste! I didn’t like it at all and ended up pouring it down the sink. 😒 ⭐⭐
This is not a real cocktail! Cherry juice and vodka?! What’s next, toothpaste martinis?
Toothpaste martinis? C’mon, that’s just ridiculous! This cocktail sounds great to me.
I think it’s a creative take! Cherry vodka is quite popular, don’t knock it till you try it.
Didn’t have cherry juice so I used grape. Not the same, lol.
Grape juice? That’s a bold choice! But hey, at least you tried something different! 🍇
I don’t think grape juice can compare to cherry juice. Cherry Vodka Sour should be tart, not sweet! 🤔
I feel like this drink should be stronger? Maybe I just like more vodka haha. Anyway, it was tasty! 🍹
This drink is amazing! So refreshing and perfect for summer. I added a bit more cherry juice and it was perfect. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This drink is the bomb! Just the right amount of sweet and tart. Love it!
Totally agree! This drink is so refreshing, perfect for summer parties!
Cherry vodka sucks. Why would anyone mix it with lemon juice? Totally not my thing.
I get why you might not like it, but not everyone has the same taste! Cherry vodka can be really sweet and refreshing if you mix it right. Just give it another chance!
I followed the recipe but it ended up way too sour for my taste. Maybe I used too much lemon juice?
Not my thing. Too fruity for me. I stick to whiskey.
Is it really necessary to shake it? I just stirred mine and it was fine. Looks good tho!
It tasted good but my friends said it was too sour for them. Need to balance it better.
Sour is the point, right? But I guess if your friends didn’t like it, maybe try less lemon juice? 🤷♂️
I think the sourness really adds to the drink! Maybe some extra simple syrup next time?
Delicious! First time making a cocktail and it was super easy! Also, I’m pretty sure maraschino cherries are just for looks but they made it fancy! 🍹 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG this is delish! I could drink these all day! Yasss!
Why you mix vodka with cherry juice? Seems weird. I prefer just vodka.
Mixing vodka with cherry juice makes a great flavor combo! Try it out before judging! 🍹
This was so refreshing! Definitely my new favorite drink! 🍒🍹
The maraschino cherry garnish is kinda weird to me. Like, I get it for color, but I’m not a fan of that artificial sweetness. Flavor still decent though.
Not sure why i would mix vodka with cherry juice, feels off.
Yum! Made it for a family gathering and it was a hit. Everyone kept asking for more. Thanks!
Sounds awesome! I can’t wait to try this at my next get-together. Everyone loves cherry drinks!
I don’t really like vodka… or cherries! Is there a way to make it without those?
Yum! Perfect for summer. Gonna make it at my BBQ! 🌞
I made this for my friends and they loved it! Super refreshing and perfect for summer BBQs.
This is my go-to cocktail! So refreshing and nice!
Sours are my fave but I couldn’t taste the cherry at all. Might be my vodka tho. 🤷♂️
I don’t know, I love the cherry flavor! Maybe your vodka was just not good, lol! 🍹
That sounds a bit odd! Cherry vodka should definitely have a cherry flavor. Maybe try a different brand next time?
It’s too sour for my taste. I would maybe add more syrup next time.
Simple syrup? What’s that? I just used sugar. Still turned out good!
I tried shaking without enough ice and it turned out… lukewarm and watery. The recipe says shake well for a reason lol. Redid it with more ice and it was much better.
Yup, I learned the same lesson—if there isn’t enough ice, it basically just mixes instead of chilling. Cherry Vodka Sour should be cold and lively, not lukewarm. Glad the redo worked!
Yayyy! This drink is fire! Made it for my girls night and everyone loved it 😍. Will make again for sure!
I tried using orange juice instead of lemon and it was uhh… strange.
I thought it would be too sweet, but the tartness is just right! Definitely making it again.
Glad you enjoyed it! The tartness really balances out the sweetness. Cheers!
Yummm! Perfect summer drink! 🍹🍒
This is basically a vodka sour with cherry. I guess that’s fine, but I don’t taste anything special beyond “sour.” Maybe my cherry juice wasn’t strong enough.
meh.
Not everyone loves it, but I found it pretty tasty! The cherry flavor is nice.
Pretty good, but I prefer my drinks a bit stronger. Maybe add more vodka next time?
Yum! I didn’t have maraschino cherries, so I used berries instead and it was still fab!
I don’t have cherry juice unsweetened so I used sweet. It ended up kinda dessert-y and less “sour.” Probably not your fault—just heads up if anyone swaps.
Had to look up what a maraschino cherry was… good thing I found out! 😂
Way too tart for my palate. I used “fresh” lemon but maybe the lemons I got were super acidic. I ended up adding like double syrup and it was better, but then it lost the balance.
I dunno, thought this was gonna be better. Just a wannabe cherry drink, really. Meh.
I don’t get why people are raving about this. It was way too tart for my taste and the vodka just overpowered everything.
I personally loved it! The tartness is what makes it refreshing. Maybe try less lemon next time?
Too tart? I thought it was just right! But everyone has different tastes, I guess. 🤷♂️
Why do they call it sour? I was expecting it to taste like a lemon. It just tasted like cherry and vodka…
Yeah, I was confused too! But it actually tastes nice! Just a cherry drink that’s a bit tart. Not lemony like you’d think.
I think the ‘sour’ in the name refers more to the lemon juice than to an overall sour flavor. The cherry and vodka really dominate the taste! 🍒🥂
Sour but in a good way! I adjusted the simple syrup to make it sweeter and it turned out great. Will make again!
Easy to make! Just follow the steps and you will be fine! 👍
Totally agree! This drink turned out amazing 😍
I think it’s too sweet with all that syrup, might skip it next time! 🤔
This was soooo good! I love cherry drinks! 🍒
Made this last night—so bright and tart, just like a classic sour. I added an extra splash of simple syrup and it was perfect. The garnish makes it feel fancy too.
Super easy to make! I let my kids help, and they loved shaking the mixer. Just be careful with the maraschino cherries – they can get messy!
This drink was amazing! Perfect for summer evenings. I loved the cherry flavors!
Simple, easy, and quick! Love how it looks too. Perfect for parties!
Didn’t turn out like I expected. My friends said it tastes like cough syrup. 😬
I found it too sweet. Should’ve used less simple syrup. Might try again with adjustments.
I Replaced vodka with rum and it turned out terrible!!!
Cherry vodka sour? Sounds fancy! Never knew you could mix these ingredients. Gonna try it this weekend!
I aint got time to make simple syrup, can I just use sugar?
Yeah, you can just use sugar! It might not dissolve as well, but it should work. Just stir it good!
This drink is absolutely divine! Perfect balance of sour and sweet. I added a splash of Sprite for some fizz and it was amazing! Highly recommend!!
Tasty! But overly sweet for my liking, might try with less syrup next time.
This is such a refreshing drink! I love cherries, and the vodka just elevates it. Perfect for summer!
My friend said it was too sweet. I thought it was just right! Maybe reduce the syrup?
I’ve made this twice already and it’s perfect! The sweetness is what makes it special. Don’t change a thing!
Nah, I don’t think it’s too sweet. Maybe your friend just doesn’t like sweet drinks? I love it as is!
This is literally the best cocktail I’ve ever made! So refreshing and the cherry adds a unique twist. 5 stars!
Is simple syrup just sugar water? Can I use honey instead? My friend said that but I’m not sure…
Cherry vodka sour? More like cherry vodka yuck! I used the cheap vodka though, so maybe that’s why. 🤔
I dunno, is this really a cocktail or just juice with alcohol? 🤔
Sounds more like a kids’ drink to me… where’s the fun in that? 😒
It’s definitely a cocktail! Just because it has fruit juice doesn’t mean it’s not a real drink. 🍹
So easy and quick! 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cherry, 1 oz lemon, 1 oz syrup—easy math. My friends keep asking for the recipe lol.
I tried it with tart cherry juice and it was perfect. I only did like 3/4 oz syrup though—too sweet if you don’t adjust.
Right?? The measurements make it feel idiot-proof 😄 I made this after work and it actually tasted like a real cocktail.
This is legit one of the best drinks I’ve ever made!
This is so good! My new go-to cocktail. Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I didn’t have fresh lemon juice so I used bottled, still turned out delicious!!
Perfect for summer parties. Everyone loved it! Just make sure to shake it nice and hard!