If you’re into whisky/whiskey, chances are the best way you enjoy it is neat. But if you’re new to the category and you’re trying to develop a palate for the spirit, the right cocktail can make a difference and ease you into appreciating the dark spirit.
The Whiskey Sour features predominantly in cocktail history and was referenced in Jerry Thomas 1862 The Bon Vivant’s Companion or How to Mix Drinks. The drink is simple to make at home and aside from the whiskey, you need ingredients that are found in most kitchens: lemons, sugar and water.
Simple syrup features in many cocktails and if you don’t have some handy, you’ll need to make your own. Mix equal quantities of sugar and water in a small glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake it until it is dissolved. You can also heat the mixture in a small pan until it dissolves.
One point when working with citrus, the tartness is not always consistent. Getting the balance right is important in a cocktail and you may need to tweak the lemon juice and sugar syrup to suit your palate.
The Whiskey Sour is a good choice for an aperitif or as a cocktail to precede a whisky tasting or a whisk(e)y flight. It’s light, refreshing and makes a good palate cleanser. Serve it on ice or with an ice sphere as shown in the photo above.
Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml whiskey or Bourbon such as Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
Garnish: Cherry, Lemon or orange slice
Glassware: Rocks glass
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake well to combine. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a wedge of orange and a cherry.
Note: The Boston Sour is a variation on the Whiskey Sour with the addition of a little egg white which gives the drink more texture and viscosity. If making the drink with egg white, use about 7 ml and apply more vigorous shaking to get that silky foam on top.
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
