A sour cocktail is characterized by its use of citrus juice, which gives it a tart, sour taste. The traditional sour cocktail typically includes a base spirit, such as whiskey or gin, as well as fresh lemon or lime juice and a sweetener, usually simple syrup. The cocktail is shaken or stirred with ice to chill the ingredients and then strained into a glass, often over fresh ice. The sour flavor is balanced by the sweetness of the simple syrup and the alcohol content of the base spirit, creating a refreshing and well-balanced cocktail.