Aquavit Sour

The Aquavit Sour is a sophisticated and intriguing cocktail that swaps traditional whiskey or gin for the unique Scandinavian spirit, aquavit. This substitution introduces a delightful savory complexity, with notes of caraway, dill, and anise playing against the classic sweet and sour backdrop of lemon juice and simple syrup. Often prepared with egg white for a rich, silky texture and a beautiful foam cap, it's a balanced and memorable drink for those looking to explore beyond the usual sour variations.
Aquavit Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Aquavit Sour is a classic-style cocktail belonging to the "sour" family of drinks. This family is one of the oldest in mixology, defined by a simple and balanced formula of a base spirit, a citrus element (sour), and a sweetening agent. While not as old as the Whiskey Sour, it applies this timeless structure to a less common spirit.

Serving

This is a cold, spirit-forward cocktail served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass. Its alcohol content is moderate, comparable to other classic sours.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Around 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The "sour" is one of the oldest and most fundamental cocktail families, dating back to the 19th century. While the Whiskey Sour is the most famous member, bartenders have long experimented with other base spirits. The Aquavit Sour is a more modern adaptation, gaining popularity as craft cocktail culture embraced a wider range of global spirits. It doesn't have a single inventor but evolved as a natural way to showcase aquavit's unique herbal profile in a familiar format.
Origin
The sour cocktail family originated in the mid-19th century. This specific variation using aquavit is a modern creation, likely from the early 21st-century craft cocktail revival in the USA and Europe, where bartenders sought to apply classic formulas to a broader array of spirits.

Aquavit Sour

The drink is primarily known as the Aquavit Sour, a straightforward name describing its base spirit and cocktail family. The spelling "Akvavit" is also common, reflecting the spirit's Scandinavian origins, but the cocktail name remains the same.
Original name
Aquavit Sour
Alternative name
Akvavit Sour

Characteristics overview

The Aquavit Sour offers a unique savory and herbal flavor profile balanced by citrusy sweetness, with a velvety smooth texture from the egg white. Its aroma is distinctly herbaceous, and it presents as a pale, opaque drink with a beautiful foam cap.
Flavor
Savory, herbal, caraway, dill, citrusy, slightly sweet
Aroma
Anise, caraway, fresh lemon, herbal
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, savory
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, lingering caraway
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, opaque, with a thick white foam head
Texture
Silky, smooth, creamy, velvety
Seasonality
Refreshing, suitable for all seasons

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is defined by a strong sourness from the lemon, balanced by moderate sweetness and fruitiness. Its defining characteristic is its savory, herbal quality, with a moderate alcohol presence and a creamy texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need Scandinavian aquavit as the base spirit, fresh lemon juice for sourness, simple syrup for sweetness, and an egg white for texture. Fresh ingredients are key to a well-balanced result.
  • Aquavit60 ml / 2 oz
    A Scandinavian-style aquavit with prominent caraway and/or dill notes works best.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste based on the sweetness preference.
  • Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Adds texture and foam. Can be substituted with aquafaba for a vegan version or omitted entirely.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

A standard cocktail shaker set is required for this drink. A fine-mesh strainer is highly recommended to ensure a perfectly smooth foam by removing small ice chips.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking ingredients
  • Jigger or measuring tool for measuring liquids
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from shaker
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double-straining

Instructions

The key steps are the dry shake (without ice) to build foam, followed by a wet shake (with ice) to chill and dilute. Double-strain into a chilled glass and garnish as desired.
1. Chill your coupe or sour glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add aquavit, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a "dry shake": seal the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.
4. Add a generous amount of cubed ice to the shaker.
5. Perform a "wet shake": seal the shaker again and shake hard for another 10-12 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
7. Double-strain the cocktail into your chilled glass. This involves pouring through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to ensure a silky smooth texture.
8. Allow the foam to settle for a moment, then garnish with a lemon twist, bitters, or a dill sprig.

Garnishing

Garnish with a lemon twist expressed over the drink to release its oils, or add a few drops of bitters onto the foam for an aromatic and visual touch. A dill sprig also beautifully complements the aquavit's flavor.
  • Lemon peel twist, expressed over the drink to release its aromatic oils.
  • A few drops of Angostura bitters on the foam, which can be swirled for a pattern (optional).
  • A fresh dill sprig to enhance the herbal notes of the aquavit (optional).

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains egg white, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with egg allergies, though a vegan alternative exists using aquafaba. It is typically dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily derived from the simple syrup and the alcohol itself. The carbohydrate content is also in the moderate range.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Its savory profile makes it an excellent aperitif before a meal, especially with Nordic cuisine. It is also a great conversation starter at a cocktail party or for anyone looking to try a unique and sophisticated drink.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail party
  • Food pairing
  • Experimental tasting

Pairing suggestions

The savory, herbal notes of the Aquavit Sour pair exceptionally well with Scandinavian cuisine and appetizers. Think smoked or cured fish like salmon and herring, rye bread, and rich cheeses. Its acidity also cuts through fatty foods beautifully, making it a versatile food-pairing cocktail.
  • Smoked salmon or gravlax
  • Pickled herring
  • Rye bread with rich cheese
  • Seafood dishes like shrimp or scallops

The Aquavit Sour: A Savory Scandinavian Twist on a Classic

The Aquavit Sour is a compelling and delicious variation of the classic sour cocktail template. By using aquavit as its base, it trades the familiar notes of whiskey or gin for the distinctive Scandinavian flavors of caraway and dill. The result is a beautifully balanced drink that is simultaneously refreshing, savory, and complex. Prepared with egg white, it boasts a luxurious, velvety texture and a picture-perfect foam top, making it as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.