How to make a whisky sour cocktail

The whisky sour, or whiskey sour as it’s traditionally known thanks to being made with bourbon, first appeared in Jerry Thomas’ The Bartender’s Guide in 1862.

What’s in a whisky sour?

The whisky or whiskey sour is made with a bourbon, or Scotch whisky, lemon juice, sugar and egg white.

These are shaken up and served with a citrus or maraschino cherry garnish.

Alternatives include a New York sour, which has red wine floated on top.

Whisky sour recipes

Traditional recipe

Ingredients

• 50 ml bourbon
• 25 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml sugar syrup
• 1/2 fresh egg white
• Ice
• Cherry and an orange slice, to garnish

Method

Fill cocktail shaker with ice and add all the ingredients except the garnish. Shake really hard for about 30 seconds.

Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice and garnish with cherry and orange slice.

The Old Pulteney Silver and Gold Sour

Picture: Old Pulteney

Ingredients

50ml Old Pulteney 12 Years Old

10ml apricot liqueur

15ml fresh grapefruit juice

15ml lemon juice

5ml sugar syrup

15ml egg white (optional)

Grapefruit twist

Method

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.

Shake well and fine strain into a cocktail or coupe glass, then garnish with a grapefruit twist.