Barsys
The Cherry Bitter Sour
About
The Cherry Bitter Sour is a confident, palate-awakening cocktail designed for drinkers who appreciate bold flavors and refined bitterness. Built around Campari, this drink leans into the liqueur’s naturally herbal, bittersweet character while amplifying its subtle cherry-like notes with real cherry juice. A hit of fresh lime juice sharpens the edges, turning the cocktail into a crisp, bracing sour that refreshes rather than overwhelms.
Often described as having a “cherry cough-drop” depth, Campari becomes more expressive here - brighter, cleaner, and surprisingly elegant when paired with citrus. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, The Cherry Bitter Sour works beautifully as a palate cleanser between rich holiday dishes or as a sophisticated opener for guests who prefer their cocktails dry, complex, and unapologetically grown-up. It’s bold, refreshing, and quietly addictive - a modern sour with classic European attitude.
Shaken or Stirred? Shaken. The citrus needs a proper chill and integration to soften the bitterness.
What You'll Need
- 1.5 oz Campari
- 1 oz Cherry Juice
- 0.75 oz Lime Juice
Optional Garnish: Orange peel
Pro Tip: Use unsweetened or lightly sweetened cherry juice to keep the cocktail crisp and not candy-like.
How to Make It
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Skill Level: Bold but simple
- Add Campari, cherry juice, and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with an expressed orange peel.
Using Barsys Cocktail Maker?
The Coaster 2.0 Cocktail Maker is ideal for sharp, citrus-driven sours like this one. It guides accurate pours for Campari, cherry juice, and lime before shaking, ensuring the bitterness stays controlled and the sour remains refreshing rather than aggressive. Precision matters when bitterness is the star.
For the full recipe, download the Barsys App.
Tasting Notes
The Barsys Edge
Bittersweet cocktails demand exact ratios - too much cherry dulls the bitterness, too much lime overwhelms the herbal notes. Barsys ensures every pour stays tight and intentional, letting Campari’s complexity shine without losing balance.
Sip Setting
Perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif, a mid-meal palate reset, or an elegant alternative to sweeter party cocktails. This one signals taste.
Garnish Game
A simple orange peel does the job, but expressing the oils over the glass before discarding elevates the aroma and softens the bitter edge.
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FAQs
Can I use sweet cherry juice?
You can, but reduce the cherry slightly to avoid excess sweetness.
Can I add egg white?
Yes - it creates a creamier, more rounded sour.
Can I batch this cocktail?
Yes - batch the base and shake individual servings.
Can I substitute Aperol?
You can, but it will be sweeter and far less bitter.
Is this drink very strong?
It’s bold in flavor, but balanced in strength.