The Trinidad Sour
One cocktail I always wanted to serve happens to be the Trinidad sour. A 2009 competition-winning cocktail, which comes with a lot of hype around it. How far was it justified? I wish to witness it firsthand. Currently, according to the existing excise policy, Angostura bitters are not available in India. This is because the alcohol content exceeds the permissible limits set by the Indian excise department. All this resulted in making it almost impossible to find the cocktail in bars or parties. Now, if I had to taste a Trinidad Sour, I would have to make it myself.
The lead role in this cocktail is played by Angostura bitters. About 30ml of Angostura bitters. Now, if you imagine, just a couple of drops of bitters would do in any of the mentioned cocktails where bitters are used. This adds up to the already existing curiosity, and I believe it would do the same to anyone. Bitters act as a flavouring agent in cocktails. Just add a few drops to your cocktails, and you’re set. Same as what salt does to food. Now, imagine salt served as a main dish. Hope I have managed to raise your level of curiosity as well. 😉
The Angostura sour or Trinidad sour
And when I finally got my hands on Angostura bitters. I still had to gather the courage, as Angostura bitters is not something readily available. But then, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. And thus the Trinidad sour was finally conquered. And managed to record the entire making of the cocktails on my YouTube “Cocktails My Style”. A channel on how to make cocktails with simple ingredients.
When we mention the ingredients of the Trinidad sour, it defies the laws of cocktail making. The ml of Angustura used in it is one example, but the quantity of orgeat syrup is also astonishing. Well, we always like to believe that there is one rebel out there. Like in the movies, there’s that one who goes and defines everyone to prove they are right. And the Trinidad sour seemed like that rebel cocktail. But was it the one?
Trinidad sour ingredients
- Angostura bitter
- Bourbon Whiskey
- Orgeat syrup
- Lemon juice
- Ice for shaking
Bar Equipment’s
- Measuring jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail glass
Trinidad Sour Cocktail recipe
- Add 30 ml of Angostura Bitters to a cocktail shaker
- Add 30 ml orgeat syrup, along with 15 ml bourbon whiskey and 15 ml lemon juice
- Fill the shaker with ice, close and shake well
- Open and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
The reviews and the hype that accompanied the cocktail built up my curiosity. But the result? Well, there was nothing extraordinary about it. Nothing like the built-up it came along with. Not at all the rebel that I believed it would be. The laws of cocktails remain unharmed and intact. Now, this is my perspective; it may differ from person to person. Please let us know your thoughts on the comments below
And the Angostura flavours were just too loud. The Bourbon could hardly make its presence felt. The orgeat syrup helped tame it a bit. However, in my opinion, it still didn’t manage to get the job done. I just put my precious Angostura bitters to waste. The repercussion I felt the next day was quite memorable, and not in a good way;) .This all with just one glass of Trinidad Sour Cocktail.
Cheers
Drink responsible
