From Sparrow’s liqueur list, Leopold Sour Lime is a bright, tangy lime cordial from a respected Colorado distillery, $14 by the pour, or $21 for a larger pour. It is a craft pour worth seeking out in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, a favorite among bartenders who care about what goes in the glass.
About Leopold Sour Lime
As the menu describes, Persian limes from the Gulf Coast of Mexico are distilled in an Eau de Vie still, then combined with cane sugar and a house-made lactic acid that gives the cordial its signature tanginess. It is made by Leopold Bros, an independently owned distillery founded by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold in Denver, Colorado, in 1999, known for heritage craftsmanship across its gins, whiskeys, and eaux-de-vie. The limes are sourced from Gulf Coast orchards, and additional peels go into the distillation to build the aromatics. The result is a cordial that captures the brightness of fresh lime in a way bottled juice simply cannot.
Tasting Notes
This is a deeply floral, fragrant lime spirit with a clean citrus core and a bright, tangy edge from the house-made lactic acid. It tastes of fresh lime rather than candied sweetness, vivid and aromatic from the first sip.
What to Pair It With
Leopold Sour Lime shines in cocktails, used alongside or even in place of fresh lime juice in a Gimlet, Margarita, or spritz. It pairs beautifully with bright, fresh starters like the Tuna Tartare or Fresh Oysters from the Sparrow menu. Ask the bartender during the daily happy hour, 3 to 5 PM, or settle in at the 21+ lounge with its quartzite bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leopold Sour Lime made from?
It is a lime cordial from Leopold Bros in Denver, Colorado, made from distilled Persian limes combined with cane sugar and a house-made lactic acid that gives it its tangy character.
How do you use Leopold Sour Lime?
It works in cocktails alongside or in place of fresh lime juice, shining in a Gimlet, Margarita, or spritz, and it can be sipped on its own.
How much is a pour of Leopold Sour Lime at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $14 by the pour, or $21 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Kalani Coconut Liqueur. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.