Concord Sour: A Purple Gin Drink with El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters Recipe
Sep 15, 2025
The Concord Sour is an elegant and visually stunning cocktail, a perfect purple gin drink for any occasion. This recipe features a silky egg white foam and is elevated by the rich flavor of El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters. The combination of Empress Gin, Concord Grape Juice, and the subtle notes of maple syrup creates a beautifully balanced and complex flavor that will impress any guest. Get ready to shake up a drink that is as delicious as it is beautiful.
Concord Sour Cocktail Recipe
This cocktail is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. The tartness of the lemon juice is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the maple syrup and grape juice, while the Lillet Rouge adds a layer of dry complexity. The star ingredient, our vanilla bitters, ties everything together with a warm, oaken finish.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz @empress1908gin
- 1 oz Lillet Rouge
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- .5 oz Maple Syrup
- 2 oz Concord Grape Juice
- Splash Soda Water
- 6 dashes El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters
- 1 Egg White
- Seasonal flower, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the Empress Gin, Lillet Rouge, lemon juice, maple syrup, Concord Grape Juice, and El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters in a shaker.
- Add ice and shake quickly to chill and combine the ingredients.
- Strain the ice from the shaker.
- Add the egg white to the shaker.
- Dry shake the mixture vigorously for at least 30 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy foam.
- Add a splash of chilled soda water to a coupe glass.
- Strain the cocktail from the shaker into the coupe glass, allowing the foam to settle on top.
- Garnish with a seasonal flower before serving.
Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo’s homepage to explore everything we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a purple gin drink?
A purple gin drink is a cocktail that uses a color-changing gin, such as Empress 1908 Gin, as its base. When mixed with acidic ingredients like citrus juice, the gin's color changes from a deep indigo to a vibrant purple, making for a visually striking and beautiful cocktail.
What does El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters taste like?
Our El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters provides a rich and complex flavor. It has prominent notes of warm vanilla, toasted marshmallow, and a hint of oak from the barrel-aging process. This adds a sweet, creamy dimension to cocktails without the added sugar of a syrup.
Why is an egg white used in this cocktail?
An egg white is used to create a rich, silky texture and a beautiful, thick foam on top of the drink. This is a classic technique used in many sour-style cocktails to improve the mouthfeel and presentation. The process of dry shaking is essential to achieve the perfect foam.
Can this recipe be adapted for a whiskey egg white cocktail?
Yes, this recipe can be adapted for a whiskey egg white cocktail. For a classic Whiskey Sour, you would substitute the Empress Gin and Lillet Rouge with 2 oz of your favorite whiskey (like bourbon or rye), and omit the Concord Grape Juice. The combination of whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white creates a classic sour. You could also use our El Guapo™ Barrel Aged Vanilla Bitters to add a unique, creamy note to your whiskey sour.