Discover the timeless charm of the Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail, a perfect balance of whiskey and lemon.
Speak of a Whiskey Sour and watch eyes light up! It is the perfect cocktail for catching up with your besties at a sophisticated bar or just relaxing at home at home. This is how I like to describe my whiskey sour: the cozy hug of whiskey (hello, bourbon!) meets the zing of fresh lemon juice, laced with a subtly sweet hum from simple syrup. And to finish it a frothy, frothy egg white that’ll dance around your taste buds. The Sazerac is my favorite whiskey cocktail but this Sour comes as a close second.
Welcome to the world of sours – cool cocktails generally made of strong spirits, citrus zaps, and a sweet little something. The whiskey is certainly one of the most famous of the family, along the more exotic Pisco Sour. It’s a class act that’s sure to please everyone from the hardcore whiskey fans to casual cocktail sippers.
Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Whiskey Sour Cocktail
- Choose the right whiskey: Get yourself a smooth, delicious bourbon from a reputable brand. Trust me, it’s your ticket to a great whiskey sour.
- Fresh lemon juice is a must: Only use fresh lemon juice — bottled or concentrated stuff just won’t do your cocktail justice.
- Master the “dry shake”: If you’re adding egg white, give your mix a good shake without ice for 15-20 seconds to let it emulsify. That frothy, velvety texture? Yes, please!
- Chill your glass: Keep your rocks glass chilled in the freezer or fill it with ice before serving.
FAQs & Tips
HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A CLASSIC WHISKEY SOUR COCKTAIL?
Your typical Whiskey Sour contains around 150-220 calories depending on what you mix in, with the whiskey responsible for most of the calories.
HOW SHOULD I DRINK A CLASSIC WHISKEY SOUR COCKTAIL?
Chilled rocks glass and fresh ice is key. Sip it right from the glass. You can also use a straw if you’d prefer.
CAN I MAKE A VEGAN VERSION OF THIS RECIPE?
Skip the egg white. Get that frothiness going with aquafaba instead (the liquid from a can of chickpeas). Use about 1-1.5 ounces and shake away like you would with the egg.
IS IT SAFE TO USE RAW EGG WHITES IN A COCKTAIL?
There’s a very small chance of contracting bacteria from raw egg whites (like salmonella). But using fresh eggs and keeping it clean can lower that risk. An alternative is to use pasteurized egg whites or, again, aquafaba.
How to Store A Whiskey Sour
Got some prepping or leftovers to manage? Check out these easy peasy tips:
- Pre-batching your ingredients: Mix whisky, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a container, chill for a week (this only works if you skip egg white).
- Making ahead with egg white: Like before, but keep egg white separate in the fridge. Shake and serve when you’re ready.
- Storing leftovers: Seal ’em in a container, fridge it. Lasts a week sans egg white, or 24 hours with egg white. Cheers!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey preferably bourbon
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white for a frothy texture (optional)
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using).
- Without ice, shake the mixture vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy texture.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for another 15-20 seconds to chill the drink
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and/or maraschino cherry.
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