The Sanjo Sour is Naught's signature cocktail, and the world's first Sangiovese gin sour. Velvety, sweet-tart, and luscious, it's built around our Naught Sangiovese Gin, the world's first sangiovese gin, which we invented at our Eltham distillery in 2021. If you only ever make one cocktail with sangiovese gin, make this one.
INGREDIENTS:
- 60ml Sangiovese Gin
- 30ml Lemon Juice
- 15ml Semi-Rich Sugar Syrup
- 15ml Egg White
GARNISH:
- Davidson Plum Sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix all of the ingredients in a shaker and dry shake for 30 seconds. Now add ice and shake for a further 30 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
To finish, garnish with a nice neat sprinkle of Davidson plum sugar.
The Sanjo Sour: a quick history
The Sanjo Sour was created at our Eltham bar to showcase the natural sweetness and red-fruit character of our Sangiovese Gin. The grape sugars from the maceration mean you can use less added sugar than a traditional sour, letting the gin's berry and dried-herb notes come through. It has since become the cocktail most likely to convert a sangiovese gin sceptic into a fan.
You'll also love
- Sanjo Spritz, the lighter, more bubbly sibling, made with sparkling wine
- Forbidden Fruit, a tropical, rich-red Sangiovese cocktail with curaçao and falernum
- Charlie Chaplin, a flirty, fruit-forward classic with apricot brandy and lime
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sanjo Sour?
The Sanjo Sour is a Naught Distilling signature cocktail, a sour made with the world's first Sangiovese gin, lemon juice, semi-rich sugar syrup and egg white. It's smooth, velvety, lightly sweet-tart, and garnished with Davidson plum sugar.
Can I make a Sanjo Sour without egg white?
Yes. Replace the 15ml egg white with 15ml aquafaba (chickpea brine) for a near-identical foam and vegan-friendly version. The cocktail will be just as smooth.
What gin should I use for a Sanjo Sour?
The Sanjo Sour was designed around Naught Sangiovese Gin specifically. The natural sweetness and red-fruit character of our Yarra Valley sangiovese grapes are what make the drink balance without added bitters or strong syrups. Other sangiovese-style fruit gins will work, but the recipe was built for ours.
How is a Sanjo Sour different from a regular gin sour?
A traditional gin sour uses a dry gin and a touch more sugar to balance the juniper. The Sanjo Sour uses Sangiovese gin, which is naturally rounder and slightly sweeter from the macerated grapes, so it needs less added sugar, gains a soft red-fruit aroma, and ends up with a much more luxurious, velvety texture.
