An Easy Whiskey Cocktail
As we steer away from the warm summer months to the cooler fall weather, I find myself reaching less for the refreshing fruity cocktails and and more for the drinks that warm you from the inside out. And one of my go-to drinks is a Whiskey Sour.
Sure, you can enjoy this simple whiskey cocktail anytime but to me, the slow sips of that sweet tart taste with the warmth of whiskey are just perfect for fall. Though super simple to make , a whiskey sour always feels like a special cocktail.
Its a great drink to serve guests as well. Friends served us this cocktail last fall, before treating us to some awesome pizzas from their new outdoor pizza oven. And since we recently flipped the calendar to September, I cant get this beautiful cocktail off my mind!
Some whiskey sours include egg whites but I skipped that and stuck with the traditional bourbon sour bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup, shaken and served over ice. No unique twists here, just a simple, timeless classic!
Here are a couple more cocktails that are perfect for fall: This Apple Sangria with Bourbon and Thyme is wonderful for an evening around the bonfire. And friends always love this Cranberry Gin and Tonic!
Whiskey Sour Ingredients Are As Simple As They Come: A Squeeze Of Fresh Lemon Juice A Spoonful Of Sugar And Plenty Of Whiskey For A Boston Sour Add An Egg White Too
- Shaking with ice chills the cocktail without over-dilution.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice beats sour mix in terms of flavor and aroma.
- Toasted sugar tastes less sweet than plain, with subtle notes of caramel to complement the whiskey.
It ain’t fancy, but that’s a big part of its appeal. Because at the end of a long dayscratch that, a long weekyou just want a nice, easy drink. The whiskey sour, with the gentle bite of lemon tempered by a whisper of sugar, is a simple, go-to classic for a reason.
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Made with bourbon whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, this Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make. Just 3 ingredients and a few minutes is all you need to make this sweet tart drink!
- 2 ounces good quality bourbon whiskey
- 2 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
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Federal Buffalo Stamp Aka Mixing Up The Sweetness
- 0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz. maple syrup
- 1 thin slice of ginger
Muddle ginger in the bottom of a shaker tin. Add liquid ingredients, add ice, seal tins and shake hard for 6 to 10 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass, and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Using a different kind of sweetness is a fun and interesting way to mix it up a little and circumvent the need for an egg white. If you used honey syrup instead of simple syrup, it would be called a Gold Rush and has a story all its own, but one of my favorite things to do is to recruit the depth of fresh maple syrup and the spice of ginger, which are a wonderful foil to the bourbon and dont bind to the tannins so much as provide such an interesting side show that your palate doesnt really mind.
For bourbon here, Id say 45 percent ABV is a maximum. Buffalo Trace, as always, is a wonderful choice, but this is great with the less expensive end as well, like Evan Williams Black Label or Jim Beam or even a Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels.
Every week bartender Jason OBryan mixes his up his favorite drinks for you. Check out his past cocktail recipes.
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Recipe Notes And Helpful Tips
- Always use good quality whiskey or bourbon. My new favorite is Four Roses Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. It is a smooth easy sipping whiskey with a delightful true bourbon smell.
- For best results chill the simple syrup before using.
- Store simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Use fresh squeezed lemon juice not that stuff in the plastic lemon.
- For added flavor mix 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into the simple syrup or better yet make a maple simple syrup.
- Whiskey sours are typically served in an old fashioned glass, rocks glass or lowball glass.
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What Kind Of Whiskey Should I Use
The Whiskey Sour is a very versatile drink you can make it with bourbon, rye, Tennessee whiskey, or even scotch. I like it best with rye whiskey for a little extra spice and edge to balance out the drink’s sweetness, but feel free to try this with whatever whiskey you happen to have around.
If you’re buying specifically for this drink, I wouldn’t go for anything too expensive, since the lemon and sugar will cover the complexities that set those whiskeys apart. For rye, Rittenhouse and Old Overholt are very nice for bourbon, try Four Roses or Wild Turkey.
How To Make A Classic Whiskey Sour
A whiskey sour is yours for the making year-round. Its refreshing enough to keep up with a spritz during the warm summer months, and so appropriate during the colder seasons of the year. Even if youre not a whiskey fan , you might still find yourself swooning over a well-crafted whiskey sour. Its that good! The secret is using fresh ingredients.
Its such an easy cocktail to make at home, and perfect for entertaining guests. Theres nothing better than hearing that ooh! from your guest when you hand them a coupe glass filled with whiskey sour goodness.
To get started, youll need some bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and one small egg .
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Top Tips For Making Whisky Sour
The egg white is optional but without it, you won’t achieve a thick layer of foam and creamy mouthfeel. If you want to make the recipe vegan you could experiment with aquafaba.
Bourbon is the most traditional style of whisky to use for a sour but you can adjust the recipe depending on your taste. For example, we like to use blended whisky.
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Best Whiskey For A Sour
You can use whatever whiskey you like for a sour, but we have some favorite types. Heres what wed recommend adding to the sour mix:
- Bourbon: Our top pick! The sweet flavor of bourbon whiskey is ideal
- Jameson Irish whiskey: Jameson is very mild and has less of a whiskey burn
- Rye whiskey: Rye whiskey has a spicy burn on the finish
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How Long Does Homemade Whiskey Sour Mix Last
This homemade whiskey sour mix recipe has no preservatives or additives. This means that it lasts a little less time than a store-bought mix: but the flavor is so great, its worth it! Homemade whiskey sour mix lasts up to 1 week refrigerated. The flavor is best right away, so we suggest drinking it within the first few days.
Origin Of The Whiskey Sour
According to cocktail maestro Hayley Dixon of Proximo, the Sour cocktail is said to have been born out of the original way of making a punch.
Punches are the earliest form of cocktail we know, and due to the similarity in ingredients, many think of the punch leading the way to the Sour. Whiskey was not, however, the first sour.
In 1856 the first mention of a sour appeared on Mart Ackermanns Saloon cocktail list in Toronto, made with Gin or Brandy and then the first recipe didnt appear until 6 years later in Jerry Thomas very famous The Bartenders Guide, which contained a Brandy, Gin and Rum sour.
Interestingly the Whiskey Sour also never contained any egg white, instead, being made more in line with a Daiquiri or . Technically it was the Boston Sour that contained egg white, but thats an argument for another day.
History also suggests sours as an overruling cocktail family existed for several years prior to the publishing of that book, as they were said to be popular with naval sailors.
Why? Because it was found that eating or consuming citrus fruits provided vitamin C, vital in preventing sailors from contracting scurvy. It wasnt uncommon to find naval ships stocked with lemons, lime and oranges and because the sailors enjoyed a drink plenty of alcohol could be found on board too. In their downtime, its said the sailors experimented with mixing their various liquors with citrus juice to create a scurvy-busting and delicious beverage.
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To Egg White Or Not To Egg White
Have you ever seen that amazing layer of foam resting gently at the top of a cocktail? Yeah, you can thank egg white for that. To some, using raw egg whites in a cocktail is a novel concept .
Bartenders use egg whites in cocktails, like the whiskey sour, to give it a rich, creamy texture along with a smooth head of foam. To stay on the idea of fresh ingredients, use organic eggs . If youre curious about it altering the flavor, just know that egg white is flavorless. It also helps to reduce the acidity from the citrus and bind the flavors together. It enhances the presentation of your whiskey sour, too. Remember, were not settling for anything less than an ooh! from you and from your guest.
If you still feel like shaking up your cocktail with raw egg white is just too much to stomach, then feel free to leave it out!
Whats The Best Whiskey To Use
This is a matter of personal preference you can absolutely use whatever whiskey you normally drink in your cocktail. But its typically made with bourbon whiskey , specifically an 80-proof bourbon. Bourbon is a preferred option as its slightly sweeter than other whiskeys, usually with a touch of vanilla.
Whatever whiskey you choose, opt for at least a mid-range liquor. A better whiskey will give you a better drink you will taste the difference!
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Can I Make This In Advance
This is a cocktail that should be served immediately after its shaken, so should not be made in advance. But if you want to serve this cocktail to guests, you could always juice the lemons ahead of time and keep the juice chilled in the fridge. This will speed up the cocktail making after your guests arrive!
Recipe Tips And Variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
- Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces whiskey, 6 ounces lemon juice, and 6 ounces lemon juice in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
- No cocktail shaker: Fill a large glass with ice. Add the drink ingredients, then stir with a long spoon to get it all mixed and chilled. Strain through a small mesh strainer or use a slotted spoon to keep the ice in the shaker as you pour the cocktail.
- Gold Rush: Substitute honey syrup for the simple syrup: Combine ¼ cup water and ¼ cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until honey is dissolved . Remove from heat and cool. Garnish the cocktail with a lemon peel instead of the orange slice and maraschino cherry.
- Boston Sour: This version of the drink includes an egg white for silky body and foamy frothiness. If you want to try this, first give the ingredients a dry shake to emulsify them. Then, add ice to the shaker and give everything a second shake to chill the cocktail.
- New York Sour: After straining the cocktail into a rocks glass with ice, float 1 tablespoon full-bodied red wine on top .
- Amaretto Sour: Substitute 1 ½ ounces amaretto for the whiskey and top with lemon-lime soda if desired. Garnish with a cherry.
Make Simple Syrup at home in minutes with just 2 ingredients: water and sugar. Use it in cocktails, iced tea, or brushed over baked goods.
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To Bitters Or Not To Bitters
Im a bitters girl through and through, and wholeheartedly believe the experience of drinking a well-balanced cocktail can be made better with the judicious use of bitters in a cocktail. I add bitters to my cocktails in many cases. Especially if its a new cocktail and it tastes as if its missing something.
Usually its missing balance or the elevation of sweetness or acidity you can adjust with the addition of bitterness.
That being said, if you dont have bitters, or you prefer your cocktail a little simpler, you can forgo the bitters in this basic cocktail. The sailors in the 1700s and 1800s most likely didnt have bitters and they enjoyed their sours just fine.
How To Make A Whiskey Party Punch Recipe
This recipe starts with ice cubes. Seems backward, right? Since this is a punch recipe and chances are if you are making punch you are having a party and you want the drink to last.
I find that adding regular ice cubes waters down your punch too much over time, but if you use lemonade ice cubes, then your punch will always have flavor!
While your lemonade ice cubes freeze, you can make the simple syrup.
Simple syrup is nothing more than equal parts sugar and water that is boiled down together to make a syrup. The syrups can be infused with honey as with this Gold Rush Ice Tea Recipe, herbs like this Rosemary Greyhound Cocktail, with fruit like this Strawberry Lemonade Bourbon Cocktail.
Simple syrup can be infused with extracts, juices, vanilla beans, cucumbersalmost anything!
Once you make your simple syrup, allow it to cool completely.
It is always a great idea to make some extra syrup to use later for iced tea, lemonades, or other cocktails. Simple syrup can be stored in the fridge for 1-3 months .
Once your ingredients have properly chilled, its time to make your punch!
Place your syrup in a pitcher, followed by the orange juice, water, lime juice, and bourbon stir. Place the pitcher in the fridge if you are saving this to serve later.
If you are ready to serve your party punch, add your club soda, ice cubes, and fruit slices!
Make extra lemonade ice cubes for each individual glass if youd like! Garnish your glasses with maraschino cherries!
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If You Request A Dram Of Whiskey Many Bars Will Place Your Whiskey In A Nosing Glass Which Has A Narrow Top That Focusses On The Aromas Of The Whiskey
How to order whiskey sour. Which whiskey is best for whiskey sour? It’s easy to order, easy for the bartender to make, and fairly easy to handle . If someone orders a vodka sour, they want vodka and bar lime mix.
You can just add all of the ingredients into the bottom half of a cocktail shaker. To make a whiskey sour, first pour 2 ounces of whiskey into a cocktail shaker. The traditional drink is made with bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup, according to bon appétit.
This recipe provided by mix that drink and uses lime juice instead of lemon. Heat it just enough for the sugar to dissolve, then take it off the stove, let cool completely and refrigerate. How to make a whiskey sour.
3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice. Its a good idea to taste the whiskey first before adding water to see if its even needed. The steel helps to get your whiskey as cold as possible, and quickly.
For a frothier whiskey sour, add. The first printed record of the whiskey sour appears in 1862 in jerry thomas how to mix drinks, though the recipe likely dates back many years earlier. A dram is the traditional scottish name for a glass of whiskey.
Orange wheel and maraschino cherry to garnish. This drink is pretty straightforward. Try to use spring water instead of tap water, which contains chlorine that may react with the whiskey.
First, make the sour mix, and then the drink itself. A concoction of whiskey and lemon and maybe sugar for the beginners. A term commonly used for shooters and martinis.
History Of The Whiskey Sour
Ill be brief, but the sour itself is one of the earliest cocktails. Commonly thought to have derived from punch considered to be the earliest of all cocktails its a parsed down version of that ratio. Punch generally contained spirit, sour, sweet and weak . Sours take out the weak and alter the old ratios just a little to get to a great balance of base spirit, sweet and sour.
The first recorded recipe of it is in Jerry Thomas The Bartenders Guide of 1862, but theres evidence that sailors were the first to drink this sort of sour cocktail.
Fresh water was rare on long voyages and sailors often had a ration of rum each day. To keep the sailors from getting rowdy it was cut with what water they did have. Scurvy, caused by a lack of vitamin C, was rampant on long sea voyages, and one way to keep sailors supplemented with vitamin C was a bit of citrus juice each day.
So each day, the sailors might have a ration of rum and water with some citrus mixed in. A bit of sugar would make it more palatable. Between the rum, the sugar and citrus, youd have a happy and healthy ship of sailors. Or, youd at least be able to make it to the next port.
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