Trinidad Sour

The Trinidad Sour is a contemporary classic that flips a typical cocktail recipe on its head by using a large amount of Angostura aromatic bitters as its base. Balanced with rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and orgeat syrup, it delivers a complex, spicy, and unforgettable flavor profile. It is a rich, ruby-red drink with a complex palate of warm spices, citrus, and a hint of almond sweetness. This audacious drink is a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts for its unique and powerful character.
Trinidad Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Trinidad Sour is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It belongs to the "sour" family of drinks, defined by a core balance of a base spirit (in this case, bitters), a sour element (citrus), and a sweet element (syrup).

Serving

Served chilled and 'up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a potent cocktail with a significant alcohol kick from the bitters and whiskey.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (after shaking and straining)
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by Giuseppe González in 2009 at the Clover Club in Brooklyn, New York, the Trinidad Sour was an evolution of the Trinidad Especiale. González daringly increased the Angostura bitters to a full ounce, a move that was initially met with skepticism but quickly gained a cult following. The drink is a testament to creative bartending and the versatility of bitters.
Origin
Brooklyn, New York, USA. Created in 2009.

Trinidad Sour

The drink is consistently known by its original name, Trinidad Sour, and has no widely recognized alternative names. This name directly references the origin of its primary ingredient, Angostura bitters from Trinidad.
Original name
Trinidad Sour

Characteristics overview

The Trinidad Sour boasts a complex spicy and aromatic flavor profile with a beautiful balance of bitter, sweet, and sour. It has a silky texture and a deep ruby red color, leaving a long, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Spicy, aromatic, bitter, sweet, sour, nutty, complex
Aroma
Clove, cinnamon, gentian, citrus, almond, allspice
Taste balance
Bitter-sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Long, warming, spicy, herbal, lingering bitterness
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Deep ruby red, opaque
Texture
Silky, smooth, rich
Seasonality
Warming, all-season, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is an intensely flavored cocktail, dominated by the spicy bitterness of Angostura. Its profile is balanced by moderate sweetness and sourness, with a noticeable alcohol strength and zero carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe unconventionally calls for a large measure of Angostura bitters as its base, complemented by orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a small amount of rye whiskey.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters30 ml / 1 oz
    This is an unusually large amount of bitters, which serves as the base of the drink.
  • Orgeat Syrup30 ml / 1 oz
    A sweet almond syrup with a hint of orange blossom. Quality matters.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Rye Whiskey15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A 100-proof (50% ABV) rye is often recommended to stand up to the other bold flavors.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to combine and chill the ingredients, a jigger for accurate measurements, and both a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer for a perfectly smooth pour.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking and chilling
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients
  • Hawthorne strainer for primary straining
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining

Instructions

Preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients vigorously with ice, and then double-straining the mixture into the prepared glass. The final touch is a lemon twist garnish to add aroma.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice and water or by placing it in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Add all ingredients (Angostura bitters, orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and rye whiskey) into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with plenty of ice cubes.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail from the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any small ice chips for a silky texture.
7. Cut a swath of lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it, and then drop it into the glass or place it on the rim as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish; its oils are expressed over the surface to add a bright, fresh citrus aroma that complements the drink's spiciness.
  • Lemon twist expressed over the drink and used as garnish

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains almonds from the orgeat syrup, making it unsuitable for those with nut allergies. It is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan, though individuals with celiac disease should be mindful of rye whiskey.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is relatively high in sugar and carbohydrates primarily due to the orgeat syrup, contributing to a moderate calorie count per serving.
Calories
Averagely 220 kcal / 920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 22 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This unique and conversation-starting cocktail is perfect for cocktail parties or for impressing guests with an adventurous palate. It can also serve as a complex aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
  • Cocktail party
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Experimental tasting

Pairing suggestions

The bold, spicy character of the Trinidad Sour pairs well with savory and rich flavors that can stand up to its intensity. Consider serving it with spicy roasted nuts, a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, or other substantial appetizers like aged cheeses.
  • Spicy nuts
  • Cured meats (charcuterie)
  • Rich, savory appetizers
  • Aged cheeses

Trinidad Sour: The Bitters-Forward Masterpiece

The Trinidad Sour is a masterful creation of modern mixology that challenges traditional cocktail structures. By placing Angostura bitters at the forefront, it delivers an incredibly complex and memorable experience filled with notes of warm spice, citrus, and almond. It is a visually striking, ruby-red drink that is both aromatic and deeply flavorful. Perfect for the adventurous drinker, this cocktail is a testament to the idea that even the most established rules in bartending are made to be broken.