Classic Whiskey Sour co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional sour co*cktail? ›

Sours are mixed drinks containing a base liquor, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener (simple syrup or orgeat syrup). Egg whites are also included in some sours.

In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, pour 2 ounces whiskey, 3/4 ounce lemon juice, and 1/2 to 3/4 ounce simple syrup. (If using egg white, add all of the ingredients to a shaker without ice and dry shake for 30 seconds before adding ice.) Shake well.

Both a whiskey sour and an old-fashioned co*cktail are made with whiskey—and that's the only similarity really. A whiskey sour balances the whiskey with lemon juice and sugar or simple syrup, while an old-fashioned is stronger, more spirit forward, and made with bitters and a sugar cube.

Whiskey: Bourbon is the whiskey traditionally used in a classic whiskey sour, with its warm vanilla and brown sugar flavor notes. We strongly recommend using a mid-range, high-proof bourbon (between 43-50% ABV) so that its flavor does not get drowned out by the other ingredients.

To Use Egg White or Not

To some, using raw egg whites in a co*cktail is a novel concept (although this has been a trick of bartenders for nearly a century). Bartenders use egg whites in co*cktails, like the whiskey sour, to give it a rich, creamy texture along with a smooth head of foam.

Follow the mantra of the 3-2-1 ratio, and you'll likely never forget it. To make the perfect whiskey sour, use 3 parts spirits, 2 parts sour, 1 part sweet. Bourbon is frequently the whiskey of choice. For the "2 parts sour," always use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

A sour is a type of co*cktail that includes an acid (like lemon or lime juice) along with something sweet – flavors that, when added to a complex whiskey, balance each other perfectly. Smooth Jameson Black Barrel, with its rich, intense flavor, provides the perfect base for this creamy, frothy drink.

A well-made Whiskey Sour—made with whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup—is a drink worth having, especially when you add an egg white (yes!) and a dash of Angostura bitters.

“Whiskey Sours are all about texture, and the weight of the two liqueurs makes a velvety co*cktail that's the perfect balance of sweet and sour,” says Wiggins.

Is whiskey sour same as amaretto sour? ›

The Amaretto Sour is a popular twist on the classic whisky sour. The nutty and marzipan flavours of the amaretto add an extra dimension to this great tasting and balanced co*cktail. Bartender Tip: The Sour is a very versatile co*cktail for twisting.

A whiskey sour is a drink of sublime simplicity, and the New York Sour takes the whole thing one extra step, with the tart bite of the sour goosed up with a crisp snap from the wine, which also lends a complex, dry finish to this most satisfying drink.

Use the best whiskey you can afford. My mom enjoyed the Crown Royal brand, but I have also made this co*cktail with Jamerson Irish whisky. Usually, I like a 2:1 ratio of sweet and sour, but in this recipe, I recommend a ratio of 1:1 because whiskey is a potent spirit.

The short answer is, no, Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey. The slightly longer answer is yes, because Tennessee whiskey is a subtype of bourbon that meets all of the legal requirements for the spirit, but has additional requirements specific to its production in Tennessee. Confused? We can help with that.

The first mention of the whiskey sour was in 1862 from The Bartenders Guide by Jerry Thomas. However, it's likely that people were drinking whiskey sours long before this. Like so many spirits and co*cktails, we can thank sailors for this delicious co*cktail. Traveling by sea was difficult in the 1800s.

A sour is generally a base spirit combined with lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes an egg white, and the fix contains the same ingredients but is garnished with seasonal fruit and sometimes fruit syrup. Both are usually shaken vigorously to provide a frothy layer once they're strained into a rocks glass.

What Is a Sour co*cktail? Sours are a family of co*cktails that contain liquor, an acidic element (typically a citrus juice like lemon or lime juice), and a sweetener.