A sour is spirit, citrus, and sweetness in balance. Get the ratio right and it's one of the most satisfying drinks you can make. This No. 86 version brings that balance to a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Total time: 3 minutes. Serves: 1.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Spirit
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white or aquafaba (optional — for foam)
- Ice
- Lemon wheel or cherry for garnish
- Coupe or rocks glass
How to Make It
- If using egg white: add all ingredients to a shaker without ice first. Shake hard for 15 seconds (this builds the foam).
- Add ice to the shaker. Shake again for another 15 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe glass or over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or cherry.
No egg white? Just add everything with ice, shake hard, and strain. Still excellent.
Why This Works
A sour needs a base spirit with enough body to hold up against citrus. The lemon, syrup, and spirit should each come through.
No. 86 has the oak and vanilla backbone to hold up against lemon. The dry finish cuts through the sweetness cleanly.
Tips
Always use fresh lemon. Bottled lemon juice kills this drink. The difference is not subtle.
Adjust the ratio. Prefer it more sour? Go ½ oz syrup. More sweet? Go 1 oz. The base ratio of 2:¾:¾ is a starting point, not a rule.
Aquafaba works. If you want the foam without egg, use the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Same dry shake technique. Most people can't tell the difference.
Variations
No. 86 Stone Sour: Add 1 oz fresh orange juice. Softer, fruitier, slightly less sour.
Spiced No. 86 Sour: Use spiced simple syrup — simmer sugar, water, and a cinnamon stick for 10 minutes. Let cool before mixing.
Smoked No. 86 Sour: Add a small pinch of smoked salt on the foam before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the egg white?
No. The egg white adds a silky foam layer that looks great and softens the texture, but the drink is excellent without it. Skip it if you prefer.
Can I use lime instead of lemon?
Yes — it makes it more tart and a bit more tropical. Lemon is classic, but lime works well with No. 86's vanilla notes.
What glass should I use?
A coupe looks best. A rocks glass with a big ice cube works just as well. Avoid a tall glass — the proportions feel off.
Is this good for people who don't drink?
Yes. The ritual — shaking, pouring, garnishing — is part of what makes it satisfying. That doesn't require alcohol.
Pour it with No. 86.
No. 86 is a non-alcoholic spirit with real body — built to hold up in classic cocktails and sip well on its own.
→ Shop No. 86
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic spirit — built for cocktails like this one.