The Whiskey Sour is an enduring cocktail recipe because it’s just so reliably delicious. It blends bourbon whiskey with lemon juice, sugar and optional egg white.
The recipe for the this cocktail has evolved a little over the years. For a long time, bartenders made it with bottled sour mix instead of fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
Bottled sour mix gave it a taste more like candy than a refreshing beverage. Now we’re returning to the old-fashioned way of making this drink, with real lemon juice. The only change I make is to use simple syrup instead of sugar because it mixes so much more easily.
This version also calls for just enough egg white to thicken the drink a little so you can savor it. Egg whites can also minutely improve the flavor of the really cheap whiskey, but they’re mainly there to mellow all the flavors and meld them into one.
That’s the best version of this drink, in my humble opinion. But don’t worry, I included a no egg white version, too. You’ll notice that it calls for sugar instead of simple syrup. That’s a way to get back some of the texture lost with the egg whites.
However you make your Whiskey Sour, its flavors are tart citrus with just a touch of sweetness to take the edge off. Better quality whiskeys will reward you with a smoother, deeper flavor (try Gentleman Jack).
There are so many variations on this recipe, and you should feel free to play with it. You may want to add just a touch of orange juice to the mix – that rounds out the flavor considerably.
Lime juice is another option. Some people add a dash of bitters, too. You should feel free to tweak it until you find your own personal recipe.
The Whiskey Sour is Great for enjoying all by itself. It’s equally good on an exciting night out or for enjoying with an evening of TV or reading. Most bars will not include the egg white, but otherwise they usually get this one right.
It’s also great with most any meal or snack. It goes well with a steak dinner or reheated tater-tots or anything in between.
Whiskey Sour Classic Cocktail Recipe
Whiskey Sour Classic Cocktail Recipe
The Whiskey Sour is an enduring cocktail recipe because it's just so reliably delicious. It blends bourbon whiskey with lemon juice, sugar and optional egg white.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon
- [ 1 ounce of simple syrup ]
- 3/4 ounces lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon egg white (or egg substitute, if you're worried about raw egg in your drink
Instructions
- Combine everything in a shaker, and shake without ice until its emulsified.
- Then add ice and shake until it's chilled.
- Strain into a glass.
The No Egg White Version
- 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1.5 ounces bourbon
Combine in a shaker with ice, shake well, strain into a glass and garnish with an orange slice on the rim or a maraschino cherry dropped down into the drink.
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