Best Whiskey Sour

What You’ll Need

• Bourbon: good quality like Four Roses or Maker’s Mark
• Citrus: lime or lemon juice
• Simple syrup: equal amounts of water and granulated sugar heated until the sugar dissolves
• Garnish: orange, lemon, or lime slices and maraschino cherries

How to make a classic Whiskey Sour

Start by making some simple syrup, which is simply equal amounts of water and granulated sugar simmered on the stove until the sugar dissolves. I usually do 1 cup of each, which will make quite a few whiskey sours. Therefore, I usually store about half of the mixture for a couple of weeks down the road or for another cocktail using simple syrup. If you’re just making a few whiskey sours, go with 1/2 cup of each.

Once the simple syrup has fully cooled, add the whiskey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until the shaker is very cold.  Strain into a glass filled with ice. If desired, garnish with an orange slice, lemon slice, and cherry.

Preparation Tips

• Always use good-quality whiskey or bourbon. My new favorite is Four Roses Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. It is smooth, easy-sipping, and has a delightful true bourbon smell.
• Simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month. For best results, chill the syrup before using it.
• For added flavor, mix 1 tablespoon of maple syrup into the simple syrup or, better yet, make a maple simple syrup.
• Whiskey sours are typically served in an old-fashioned glass, rocks glass, or lowball glass.

Recipe Variations

• The Original: the original whiskey sour had an egg white mixed in for froth. I really prefer them without it, but the Boston sour is something that everyone should experience.  Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice and shake to combine (dry shake). Then add the ice and shake again before straining it into a glass filled with ice.
• Boston Sour: add a raw egg white and replace the simple syrup with maple syrup.
• Old Fashioned: made with bourbon or rye whiskey and a dash of Angostura Bitters
• New York Sour: add 1/2 ounce of full-bodied red wine gently to the top of the fully prepared whiskey sour.
• Maple Syrup Whiskey Sour: add a raw egg white and a dash of Angostura Bitters. Replace the simple syrup with maple syrup.
• Gold Rush: substitute honey for the sugar in the simple syrup

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Old Fashioned

Lemon Drop Martini