Peach Basil Sour Cocktail

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This peach basil sour is the perfect late summer cocktail! It has a bright peachy flavor with a subtle tang and a velvety texture.

peach basil sour in a coupe glass with a dehydrated lime and peaches in the background.

This Peach Basil Sour Cocktail is the perfect drink for late summer! The prime season for stone fruit and bountiful basil plants, this cocktail celebrates those fresh flavors. It is also easily made year-round with bar basics!

A blend of peach schnapps, your spirit of choice, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white are the simple ingredients you need to make this cocktail. I also include instructions for making a basil infused simple syrup so you can enjoy the summer flavors for longer.

A classic sour cocktail uses whiskey, but I've found that with the strong peach flavor, you can really use any spirit you like and you won't taste it too much. The egg white also provides a creamy texture that is delicious and classic in a sour.

This cocktail was inspired by the drink that I had on the night I got engaged! I had a peach basil sour from the restaurant Bluebird Steakhouse in Banff, Alberta. It was so delicious I had to re-create it to enjoy.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Ahead
Batching
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
More Drinks
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Bright, summery peach flavor. The perfect end of summer cocktail.
Use up some of your fresh basil.
Peach schnapps add a delicious peachy flavor, any time of year.
Creamy and velvety texture. Thanks to the egg white.
Use any spirit you like! Whiskey, gin, vodka, tequila all work with the peach schnapps.
Just shake and enjoy!
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free.

Want more summer drinks? Try my Blended Aperol Spritz, Skinny Spicy Margarita, S'mores Milkshake, Mint Moscow Mule, Lambrusco Spritz, Wine-Soaked Peaches, Bahama Mama Smoothie.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this peach basil sour:

Granulated sugar & boiling water: To make a simple syrup. You can add some extra basil leaves to steep for a basil-infused simple syrup.
Fresh basil leaves
Peach schnapps: This brings a strong peach flavor that is delicious.
Whiskey: Whiskey is the classic spirit in a sour cocktail, but you can use any spirit you have really—vodka, gin, tequila will all work since the other flavors in this drink will overpower it.
Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best.
Egg white: This provides the velvety foam on top of a sour cocktail. I highly recommend trying it. It is generally safe to consume. You can omit the egg white and the flavor will be the same.
Ice for shaking.
Garnish: I like to garnish with a slice of dehydrated lemon or lime. You can buy them in a large pack on Amazon or make your own.

To adjust the sweetness: Try making the cocktail with the suggested ½ oz of simple syrup. If you find it more or less sweet than you'd like, adjust accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.

(1) Make the simple syrup ahead of time. In a medium size container, combine the sugar and hot water. Stir until the sugar dissolves. If you want to make basil-infused syrup, add a handful of fresh basil leaves and let steep for 30 minutes until fragrant. Remove the basil and let the syrup cool before storing in the fridge.

For the cocktail, clap a few basil leaves in your hands to release the oils. Add to a cocktail shaker.

(2) Pour the peach schnapps, whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Muddle the basil lightly. Add the egg white, close the shaker, and dry shake for 30 seconds.

left: basil simple syrup, right: pouring alcohol into a shaker.

Add ice to the shaker and shake again until frosty.

(3) Strain into a 5oz coupe glass and (4) garnish with dehydrated citrus. Enjoy!

left: straining a cocktail into a coupe, right: peach basil sour topped with dried lime.

Make Ahead

Note that this cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after shaking.

Batching

Multiply the ingredient quantities by the number of drinks you wish to make. Remember you need room in the cocktail shaker to incorporate air into the egg white, so I advise not making more than 2 cocktails at a time.

Expert Tips

Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a delicious sour cocktail:

Make the basil infused simple syrup (recipe below) for even more basil flavor!
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Add the egg white and shake vigorously before adding any ice. This is what foams up the egg white. Then add ice and shake to make it cold.
Strain out any muddled basil with a fine mesh strainer.
Garnish with a dehydrated citrus slice or fresh basil leaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't like whiskey, what can I use?

Whiskey is the traditional spirit used in a sour cocktail, however any spirit you like will do. Vodka, gin, tequila will all work since the peach and sour flavors will tend to overpower the alcohol.

Do I have to add the egg white?

You can make this drink without the egg white. No need to dry shake then. Add everything to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until frosty. It will lose the creamy top.