History & Heritage
“Created in 2009 by Giuseppe González at Clover Club in Brooklyn, the Trinidad Sour was inspired by Valentino Bolognese's Trinidad Especial, which featured a large measure of Angostura bitters with pisco and lime juice. González adapted the formula, swapping pisco for rye whiskey and lime for lemon, creating a more robust and complex flavor profile. Initially met with resistance due to its unconventional use of bitters as a base ingredient, the drink quickly gained a cult following among bartenders and is now recognized by the International Bartenders Association as a "New Era Cocktail."”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes
Combine Angostura bitters, orgeat syrup, fresh lemon juice, and rye whiskey in a cocktail shaker
Fill shaker three-quarters full with high-quality ice cubes
Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted
Double strain through both Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers into the chilled glass
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Express oils over drink and place on rim
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Remove the dasher top from Angostura bitters for accurate pouring
Use high-quality orgeat syrup - Small Hand Foods or BG Reynolds are excellent
Double strain to achieve a silky-smooth texture
Serve immediately while ice-cold for best flavor integration
Never use bottled lemon juice - only fresh will provide proper balance
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Trinidad Sour.
Beginner-Friendly
Reduced bitters and increased whiskey for those new to the drink.
Changes
Drier Version
Less orgeat for a drier, less sweet cocktail.
Changes
Trinidad Especial
The original inspiration using pisco and lime juice.
Changes
Rum-based Trinidad Sour
Dark rum substitution for a more tropical flavor profile.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Manhattan
The quintessential whiskey cocktail—rye, vermouth and bitters in perfect harmony—serving as the template for a whole family of spirit-forward drinks.
Army & Navy
A refined gin sour sweetened with almond orgeat and seasoned with Angostura—silky, citrusy, and gently spiced.
Black Manhattan
A modern classic swapping sweet vermouth for Averna amaro—rye, Averna, and bitters stirred silky cold for a brooding, bittersweet sipper.