speakeater.
Mixologist · 2009 · New York

Trinidad Sour.

The drink that uses Angostura bitters as the base spirit. Most people thought González had lost his mind. The orgeat balances the.

Spirit
Angostura bitters
Glass
Coupe
ABV
~18%
Prep
3 min
Era
Mixologist
Quick answer

The Trinidad Sour is a mixologist cocktail from New York, 2009. Built on angostura bitters, served in a coupe, around 18% ABV. The drink that uses Angostura bitters as the base spirit. Most people thought González had lost his mind. The orgeat balances the bitterness, the lemon snaps it, the rye carries it.

Ingredients

What goes in a Trinidad Sour?

Method

How do you make a Trinidad Sour?

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake hard until very cold.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
Pair it with dinner Dark chocolate dessert with sea salt. The bitter on bitter is bracing.
Bartender's notes

What should you know before making a Trinidad Sour?

History

Where did the Trinidad Sour come from?

The drink that uses Angostura bitters as the base spirit. Most people thought González had lost his mind. The orgeat balances the bitterness, the lemon snaps it, the rye carries it. The drink became a craft-bar test for taste maturity around 2012; a customer who can drink it is a customer who knows what they like.

According to Giuseppe González.

Variations

What cocktails are similar to a Trinidad Sour?

Smith & Wesson
Replace rye with Smith & Cross overproof rum. A heavier, funkier version.
Bitters & Soda
Skip the rye and orgeat. Just Angostura, lemon juice, soda water. A non-alcoholic riff that captures the spirit.
FAQ

Common questions.

Is the Trinidad Sour really made with Angostura bitters as the base?

Yes. One and a half ounces of Angostura bitters as the main ingredient. The orgeat, lemon, and small splash of rye balance it. Most cocktails use bitters by the dash; this one drinks them by the ounce.

Who invented the Trinidad Sour?

Giuseppe González, around 2009. González worked at Pegu Club and Clover Club in New York and is known for experimental builds.

What does a Trinidad Sour taste like?

Bitter, herbal, slightly sweet from the orgeat, with a tart citrus snap. The drink reads as a cinnamon-clove tea with a kick. Bitters drinkers love it; everyone else takes a single sip.

Why is it called the Trinidad Sour?

Angostura bitters has been produced in Trinidad since 1875. The cocktail is a tribute to the country and the brand. The 'sour' part refers to the format (spirit, citrus, sweet).

Kyle Schulgen Founder, Speakeater
Builder of Speakeater, the cooking app for people tired of asking what's for dinner. Hand-transcribes pre-Prohibition cocktail manuscripts as a hobby, ships them in the app's cellar.
Last updated: 2026-05-02

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