Ruby Red Sour
A vibrant twist on the classic New York Sour, blending bourbon with tart red wine for a bold, fruity finish. This international-inspired quick meals ready in about 5 minutes brings together Bourbon, Red Wine (Ruby Port or Merlot), Lemon Juice 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 180 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 Bourbon
- 1 oz Red Wine (Ruby Port or Merlot)
- 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz red wine, 0.75 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until frosty.
- Step 2: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel or a single cherry.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ruby Red Sour take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 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 Ruby Red Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover ruby red 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 Ruby Red 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 Ruby Red 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 Ruby Red Sour?
International quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the International come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
