Cocktails

Coffee Sour

Coffee Sour is an alcoholic cocktail built on Coffee-Flavored Brandy. It leans sweet. Shaken and served in a Sour Glass. Expect about 8.3% ABV and roughly 290 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic8.3% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

290 kcalCalories

8.3%ABV

35.5gSugar

42.7gCarbs

0.83Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 4 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2.0 ozCoffee-flavored brandyBase Spirit
1.0 ozLemon JuiceJuice
1.0 ozPowdered SugarSweetener
2.0 ozEgg WhiteEgg Or Foamer

Contains an egg ingredient. Prepare with a fresh, safe egg; those who should avoid raw egg may prefer to skip it.

How to Make It

Shake with ice and strain into Sour glass.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass: Sour Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet

Supporting notes

Citrus Fruit Oak Vanilla Tart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

Noticeably sweet
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

After DinnerSuggested from the drink's flavour and serve.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-SugarVegan

Find vegan-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Lemon Juice1.0 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes: Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Powdered Sugar1.0 oz

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes: Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Coffee Sour?: The Coffee Sour is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Sour Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 8.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 290 calories.
What does a Coffee Sour taste like?: Coffee Sour has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Citrus, Fruit. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Coffee Sour?: The Coffee Sour has an ABV of approximately 8.3%. That's approximately 0.83 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 290 kcal, 35.5g sugar, 42.7g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Coffee Sour typically served?: Coffee Sour is often suggested for After Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Coffee Sour?: If you enjoy Coffee Sour, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Coffee Sour at home?: Yes. The Coffee Sour uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Sour Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Coffee Sour with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.