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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Rum Sour

Rum Sour is a cocktail made with Light Rum, Lemon Juice, Sugar, and Orange. It is served in a Whiskey Sour Glass.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic28.4% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

151 kcalCalories
28.4%ABV
2.9gSugar
4.2gCarbs
1.46Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 5 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

  1. In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the rum, lemon juice, and sugar.Shaken
  2. Shake well.Shaken
  3. Strain into a Sour glass and garnish with the orange slice and the cherry.Strain

How to Serve

Glass
Whiskey Sour Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Method
Shaken
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus

Supporting notes

SweetVanillaCherryTart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
  • High ABV
  • Bright and citrusy
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

Similar styles

Try this if you like rum with citrus

Choose the Rum Sour when you want rum to feel brighter and more structured. It is a good alternative to a Daiquiri when the recipe leans richer or more rounded.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes with Rum Sour

The mistake is letting the sweetener flatten the rum. Keep the citrus fresh and the sugar controlled so the drink stays bright rather than sticky.

Similar styles

Try this if you like bright rum balance

Choose the Rum Sour when you want rum in a citrus-led format. It gives the base spirit more lift than a sweet tropical drink and more body than a simple highball.

Variations

Easy ways to adjust Rum Sour

For a sharper version, increase the citrus slightly. For a rounder version, add a touch more sweetener or use a richer base ingredient, but avoid hiding the fresh acidity.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

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

Light Rum2 oz

Aged RumKnown variation
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners only if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes
Aged rum can replace light rum when a fuller, oakier variation is acceptable.
Dark RumWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners if the result becomes too heavy.
What changes
Dark rum can replace light rum when a deeper, heavier rum profile is welcome.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 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.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar1/2 tsp superfine

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes
Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-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

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I make a Rum Sour at home?
Yes. The Rum Sour uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Whiskey Sour Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.