The first Whiskey Sour I ever had was in my mid twenties at the Dorchester in London, a very fancy hotel. My husbands boss and his wife had taken us there for a special treat. We were like fish out of water, everything felt so opulent and grand and when it came time to order a drink we had no idea what to order. It didn’t feel like the kind of establishment where you should order a pint of lager, so we decided to follow our hosts lead and ordered what they were having, a Whiskey Sour. It has been a favourite cocktail for both of us ever since.
So much so, that for my 38th birthday by husband contacted the bar tender from the Gowings Bar and Grill (where we think serves the best Whiskey Sour in Sydney) and asked them for their recipe. To his delight they obliged, so for my birthday I received a card with the recipe inside and a promise from my husband to make me a Whiskey Sour every week FOREVER. So far three Whiskey Sours have been made in six years but lets not focus on that 😂😂😂.
Now we are sharing that recipe so you can make it anytime and as many times as you like.
A Brief Introduction
A Whiskey Sour is a delightful blend of bourbon or rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a dash of egg white for a velvety texture. It’s a harmonious marriage of flavours that offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour and the warmth of the bourbon whiskey.
Tips for the Perfect Whiskey Sour Experience
- Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh lemon juice and a good quality bourbon or rye whiskey to elevate the flavours.
- Balance: Adjust the sweetness and sourness to your taste. Some prefer a slightly sweeter or more tart version, amp up or down the simple syrup accordingly.
- Egg White: You can leave out the egg white, however the addition of egg white creates a creamy texture, giving your Whiskey Sour a luxurious feel. (The Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe always has egg white).
- Shaking Technique: Shake vigorously twice, once before you add ice and then again with ice to chill the drink and create a frothy texture.
With a few quality ingredients and a little finesse, you can craft a cocktail that will impress both friends and your own taste buds. Cheers to mastering the art of the Whiskey Sour!
Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or a beginner in the realm of cocktails, this recipe promises to elevate your at-home bartending skills.
Cheers and happy mixing!
Classic Whiskey Sour
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 120 ml bourbon
- 60 ml lemon juice
- 30 ml simple syrup
- 30 ml egg white
- maraschino cherries and orange rind for garnish
Instructions
- Pour bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white into the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 1 minute.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker and then shake for a second time for about a minute.
- Strain and pour Whiskey Sour into a glass with ice and garnish with maraschino cherries and orange rind.