Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide is a simple yet satisfying cocktail that balances the clean taste of vodka with the tartness of fresh lemon juice and the fruity sweetness of grenadine. Its appealing crimson hue gives the drink its name and visual appeal. It is served chilled and straight up, making it a crisp and refreshing choice that is incredibly easy to mix.
Crimson Tide

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Crimson Tide is classified as a modern cocktail. It follows the classic "sour" template, consisting of a base spirit, a sour element, and a sweet element. Its straightforward construction places it firmly in the category of simple, mixed drinks.

Serving

Serve this cold, spirit-forward drink in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. With an alcohol content around 22% ABV, it's a moderately strong cocktail served in a relatively small volume.
Serving size
Approximately 110 ml / 3.75 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The exact origin of the Crimson Tide cocktail is unclear, but its name is strongly associated with the University of Alabama's athletic teams. The drink likely emerged as a popular bar call in the American South, particularly among students and alumni. Its simple recipe and thematic color made it a go-to for game days and celebrations.
Origin
United States, likely mid-20th century.

Crimson Tide

The drink is universally known as the Crimson Tide. Occasionally, it might be referred to descriptively as a Vodka Grenadine Sour, highlighting its core components. However, this alternative name is not in common use.
Original name
Crimson Tide
Alternative name
Vodka Grenadine Sour

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a vibrant crimson color with a smooth texture, offering a tart and sweet flavor profile dominated by lemon and pomegranate. It has a clean, refreshing character suitable for any time of year.
Flavor
Tart, sweet, citrusy, clean
Aroma
Lemon, sweet pomegranate
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, short, tart
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Crimson red, clear, vibrant
Texture
Smooth, light
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a strong sourness from the lemon, balanced by a moderate sweetness and fruitiness from the grenadine. The alcohol strength is noticeable but not overpowering, and the drink is entirely still.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need three simple ingredients: vodka as the base spirit, freshly squeezed lemon juice for acidity, and grenadine for sweetness and color. Using high-quality ingredients will significantly improve the final drink.
  • Vodka60 ml / 2 oz
    A clean, neutral vodka works best to let the lemon and grenadine shine.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor.
  • Grenadine15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A quality grenadine made from real pomegranate will provide superior taste and color.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The primary equipment needed is a cocktail shaker to combine and chill the ingredients, along with a strainer to ensure a smooth pour.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing ingredients.
  • Strainer for pouring the drink without ice shards.

Instructions

The process involves shaking vodka, lemon juice, and grenadine with ice, then double straining the mixture into a pre-chilled coupe glass. The final touch is a lemon twist garnish.
1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, and grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and seal it tightly.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist expressed over the surface of the drink.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the ideal garnish, providing an aromatic citrus essence that complements the drink's flavors. Alternatively, a lemon wheel or cherry can be used.
  • Lemon twist to express citrus oils over the drink and add aroma.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten (when using pure, distilled vodka). It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink contains around 180 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the grenadine. The carbohydrate content is moderate, with most of it being sugar.
Calories
Averagely 180 kcal / 753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for casual social events like parties and happy hours. It's particularly popular during sporting events, especially for fans of teams with crimson colors. Its easy preparation makes it a great choice for home gatherings.
  • Game Day
  • Party
  • Happy Hour
  • Casual Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Crimson Tide's tart and sweet profile pairs well with salty and savory foods. It cuts through the richness of fried appetizers and complements the flavor of light grilled meats. Think classic party food and light bites.
  • Salty snacks like popcorn or pretzels
  • Light appetizers
  • Fried calamari or shrimp
  • Grilled chicken skewers

Crimson Tide: A Simple, Vibrant Classic

The Crimson Tide is a visually striking cocktail that's as simple to make as it is enjoyable to drink. It's a vodka-based sour, perfectly balancing the spirit's neutrality with sharp lemon and sweet pomegranate notes from grenadine. Ideal for parties and casual events, its crisp and refreshing nature makes it a crowd-pleaser. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, it's an uncomplicated and classic choice for any vodka lover.

You May Also Like

Gin and Soda

A brilliantly simple and refreshing highball that perfectly showcases the botanical character of the gin.

Daiquiri

A refreshingly simple and elegant classic Cuban cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar.

Perfect Manhattan

A sophisticated and balanced whiskey cocktail that expertly marries the spice of rye with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth.

Boston Sour

A classic whiskey sour made exceptionally smooth and creamy with the addition of egg white for a rich, velvety texture.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Blood & Honey

A sophisticated and balanced modern bourbon sour featuring the rich sweetness of honey and the floral notes of Lillet Blanc.

Tipperary

A complex and herbal Irish whiskey cocktail perfectly balanced with sweet vermouth and Green Chartreuse.

Yellow Rose of Texas

A sophisticated and vibrant cocktail that beautifully balances the earthiness of tequila with the complex herbal and floral notes of Yellow Chartreuse and St-Germain.

Quaker Cocktail

A delightful and fruity classic sour combining the richness of brandy and the vibrancy of rum with bright lemon and sweet raspberry.