Douglas Fir Sour

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes for Douglas Fir Sour

Sheringham Distillery creates a forest-meets-ocean experience with the Douglas Fir Sour cocktail. This gin sour combines Sheringham’s award-winning Seaside Gin with fresh Douglas fir syrup for an aromatic Pacific Northwest adventure. The cocktail delivers bright citrus notes balanced with evergreen essence and herbal complexity from Green Chartreuse.

How Forest Botanicals Enhance Seaside Gin

The Douglas fir syrup brings resinous pine notes that complement the coastal botanicals in Seaside Gin. Fresh lemon juice provides sharp acidity while the egg white creates a silky foam top. Green Chartreuse adds 130 herbs worth of complexity, bridging the forest and ocean flavors. The lemon bitters tie everything together with subtle citrus oils that enhance rather than overpower the delicate fir notes.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

The Douglas Fir Sour adapts beautifully to personal preferences and seasonal availability. You can adjust the sweetness by varying the Douglas fir syrup amount or substitute it with other evergreen syrups like spruce or pine. For a lighter version, replace half the gin with sparkling water.

Creative Modifications for Every Season

• Winter variation: Add warming spices like cinnamon or star anise to the fir syrup
• Spring twist: Include fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary alongside the fir
• Summer refresher: Serve over crushed ice as a gin sour slush
• Fall enhancement: Add a splash of apple cider for seasonal depth
• Non-alcoholic version: Use juniper tea instead of gin with fir syrup

Equipment, Preparation and Make-Ahead Tips for Douglas Fir Sour

Creating the perfect Douglas Fir Sour requires proper tools and advance preparation. You’ll need a cocktail shaker, jigger, fine mesh strainer, and coupe glasses. The most time-consuming element is making the Douglas fir syrup, which requires steeping fresh fir tips in hot simple syrup for 20-30 minutes.

Essential Preparation Steps for Gin Cocktails

• Harvest Douglas fir tips from clean, pesticide-free trees (or purchase from specialty stores)
• Prepare fir syrup up to one week ahead and store refrigerated
• Separate eggs 30 minutes before mixing for better foam
• Chill coupe glasses in freezer for 15 minutes before serving
• Double strain through fine mesh to remove any fir particles
• Batch the base ingredients (except egg white) for parties

Perfect Occasions and Food Pairings for Douglas Fir Sour

The Douglas Fir Sour shines at winter gatherings and holiday parties where its evergreen aromatics evoke festive feelings. This sophisticated gin cocktail works beautifully as an aperitif before Pacific Northwest-inspired dinners or at outdoor winter celebrations around fire pits.

Complementary Foods for Forest-Inspired Cocktails

• Smoked salmon canapés with dill and capers
• Wild mushroom tartlets with fresh herbs
• Aged cheeses like gruyere or aged cheddar
• Dark chocolate truffles infused with sea salt
• Roasted root vegetables with rosemary
• Cedar plank grilled seafood

Cocktail History and Similar Drinks

The Douglas Fir Sour belongs to the classic sour cocktail family, which dates back to the 1860s. This modern craft cocktail movement creation combines traditional sour structure with Pacific Northwest terroir. The technique of using fresh, foraged ingredients reflects Sheringham’s chef-driven approach to distillation and contemporary cocktail trends.

Related Gin Sours in Sheringham’s Portfolio

Sheringham Distillery offers several gin sours that share DNA with the Douglas Fir Sour. The classic Seaside Gin Sour provides a simpler template, while the Re-Growth cocktail explores similar botanical territory. Each recipe showcases how versatile gin performs in sour cocktails, whether featuring coastal or forest flavors.

Nutritional Information and Dietary Considerations for Douglas Fir Sour

The Douglas Fir Sour contains approximately 180-220 calories per serving, with most calories coming from the gin and simple syrup. The cocktail contains 15-20 grams of sugar from the Douglas fir syrup and Green Chartreuse. This gin cocktail is naturally gluten-free when made with Sheringham’s gluten-free spirits, though Green Chartreuse may contain trace amounts.

For dietary modifications, the cocktail adapts well to various needs. Vegans can substitute aquafaba (chickpea water) for egg white to maintain the foam texture. Lower-calorie versions work with sugar-free sweeteners in the fir syrup, reducing calories by 40-60 per serving. Those avoiding alcohol can create a mocktail version using juniper-infused tea and fresh citrus. Always verify individual ingredient labels for specific allergen concerns, particularly with Green Chartreuse’s complex botanical blend.