Why Does Aquafaba Smell Bad in Cocktails?

Aquafaba comes from chickpeas, so the aroma naturally carries into cocktails — especially bright or delicate drinks like sours. Even when strained and reduced, the smell often remains.

Most bartenders replace aquafaba with a clean, odorless foaming agent like Cocktail Foamer. Because it has no smell and stays stable much longer, it solves the biggest downside of aquafaba without changing technique.

If your aquafaba cocktails smell earthy or “savory,” a vegan foaming solution is the easiest fix.