Crowd Sour
A tart and balanced sour cocktail with a hint of herbaceous complexity that appeals to a wide audience. This cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- 3 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 (for garnish) basil sprig
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 3 fresh basil leaves into a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release their aroma without tearing.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 3/4 oz simple syrup, and 1 egg white into the shaker.
- Step 3: Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup of ice cubes to the shaker and shake again for 15 seconds until the shaker feels cold and frosty.
- Step 5: Double strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass to remove basil bits and ice shards.
- Step 6: Garnish by placing a fresh basil sprig flat on the surface and lightly slap it to release its oils before setting.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crowd Sour take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Crowd Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover crowd sour in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crowd Sour?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Crowd Sour for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Crowd Sour?
Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
