Sam Ross Sour
The Sam Ross Sour is a beautifully balanced modern classic that elevates the traditional gin sour. The addition of Campari introduces a pleasant bitter edge, while orgeat syrup provides a creamy texture and hints of almond. Combined with gin's botanicals and fresh lemon juice, the result is a sophisticated, multi-layered cocktail with a striking pinkish-orange hue.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
This drink is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It falls into the "sour" family of drinks but is elevated with contemporary ingredients, distinguishing it from historical classics.
Serving
Served 'up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a moderately strong, cold cocktail with a beautiful frothy head.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 20-24% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
This cocktail was created by renowned bartender Sam Ross, known for other modern classics like the Penicillin and the Paper Plane. It's a testament to his formula of balancing classic structures with unique, modern twists, in this case adding Campari and orgeat to a standard gin sour template. It is frequently served at Attaboy, the influential New York City bar he co-owns.
Origin
United States, New York City. Created by Sam Ross in the 2010s.
Sam Ross Sour
The drink is primarily known as the Sam Ross Sour, named after its creator. It might occasionally be referred to by a descriptive name like Attaboy's Campari Gin Sour, referencing the bar where it's famously served and its key ingredients.
Original name
Sam Ross Sour
Alternative name
Attaboy's Campari Gin Sour
Characteristics overview
This drink boasts a complex flavor profile that is simultaneously tart, bittersweet, and nutty, with a velvety smooth texture from the egg white. Its aroma is a fragrant mix of citrus and botanicals, and it has a beautiful pale pink color with a rich foam cap.
Flavor
Tart, bittersweet, nutty, botanical, complex, citrusy
Aroma
Citrus, juniper, almond, bitter orange, floral
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Lingering bitterness, clean, almond notes, citrus zest
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, pale pinkish-orange, frothy white head
Texture
Silky, smooth, creamy, velvety, rich foam
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is prominently sour and moderately bitter, balanced by a noticeable sweetness and the strength of the gin. The overall profile is intense and complex, with no carbonation or saltiness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires London Dry Gin as its base, with Campari, orgeat syrup, and fresh lemon juice providing the core flavors. An optional but recommended egg white is used to create a velvety foam.
- London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 ozA classic, juniper-forward gin works best to cut through the other strong flavors.
- Campari15 ml / 0.5 ozProvides the drink's signature bitterness and color.
- Orgeat Syrup15 ml / 0.5 ozAn almond syrup that adds sweetness, nutty flavor, and texture. Contains nuts.
- Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for best results.
- Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)Creates a rich, creamy foam. Can be substituted with aquafaba for a vegan version. Use pasteurized egg whites for safety.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and both a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer for a perfectly smooth result.
- Cocktail shaker for combining and chilling ingredients.
- Jigger for accurate measurement.
- Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker.
- Fine mesh strainer for double straining to ensure a smooth foam.
Instructions
The preparation involves a two-step shaking process: a dry shake without ice to build foam, followed by a wet shake with ice to chill and dilute. The drink is then double-strained into a chilled coupe and garnished with a lemon twist.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the gin, Campari, orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a 'dry shake' (shaking without ice) for about 15 seconds. This helps create a rich, stable foam.
4. Add a generous amount of cubed ice to the shaker and seal it tightly.
5. Perform a 'wet shake' by shaking vigorously for another 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosted and cold.
6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
7. Double strain the cocktail through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
8. Take a fresh lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
Garnishing
The drink is finished with a simple yet essential garnish of a lemon twist, whose expressed oils add a bright citrus aroma to the first sip.
- Lemon Twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail contains egg and nuts (from orgeat, an almond syrup), making it unsuitable for vegans or those with nut allergies. A vegan version can be made by substituting egg white with aquafaba.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a moderately caloric cocktail, with most of its calories coming from the alcohol and sugar in the orgeat and Campari. It has a moderate carbohydrate and sugar content for a sour-style drink.
Calories
Averagely 200 kcal / 837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 14g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 12g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the appetite. It's also an excellent choice for cocktail hour, sophisticated social gatherings, or whenever you want to showcase a modern, well-crafted drink.
- Aperitif
- Cocktail Hour
- Social Gathering
- Happy Hour
Pairing suggestions
The cocktail's bittersweet and sour profile pairs well with salty and savory snacks. Consider serving it with a bowl of olives, roasted almonds, or a light charcuterie board to complement its complex flavors.
- Salty Almonds
- Olives
- Charcuterie Board
- Light Cheeses
The Sam Ross Sour: A Modern Masterpiece of Balance
The Sam Ross Sour is a sophisticated and visually appealing modern cocktail that showcases perfect balance. It masterfully combines the botanical notes of gin with the bitter complexity of Campari, the sweet nuttiness of orgeat, and the sharp tang of fresh lemon juice. The optional egg white lends a luxurious, velvety texture and a beautiful foam cap, making it a memorable and impressive drink for any cocktail enthusiast looking for something beyond the ordinary.
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