Whisky Sour

Whisky sour is a cocktail made with whisky, lemon juice, sugar, and egg white. It is one of the oldest mixed drinks, dating back to the 19th century.

Whisky Sour

Ingredients

  • 50ml

    Johnnie Walker Black Lable Whisky

  • 50ml

    Lemon Juice

  • 25ml

    Simple Syrup

  • 1

    Egg White

  • 1

    Fresh Cherry (Garnish)

  • 1

    Lemon Wedge (Garnish)

0 units of alcohol per serve

Equipment

  • 1

    Rocks Glass

  • 1

    Ice Scoop

  • 1

    Jigger

  • 1

    Cocktail Shaker

  • 1

    Hawthorne Strainer

  • 1

    Tongs

Serves:
1

Method

  • Preparation
    1. Shake all the liquid ingredients and the Egg White with ice.
    2. Discard the ice and dry shake.
    3. Strain into an ice-filled Rocks Glass.
    4. Garnish with a fresh cherry and a Lemon Wedge.
  • Alcohol content

    Alcohol content

    16 g per serve

Interesting facts

The Sour is the base for many other classic cocktails, including the Margarita, the Daiquiri and the Sidecar.

History of the drink

The British Navy played a significant role in the evolution of the Sour, as the sailors often mixed their rum rations with lime juice to help combat scurvy and malnutrition during long voyages at sea. This mixture, known as Grog, became a staple of British naval life and helped to popularize the use of citrus juices in cocktails.
The popularity of Grog and other rum-based drinks among sailors eventually spread to the shores of England, where Punch Houses began to spring up in the 1600s. These establishments served a variety of rum-based punches and grogs, which often included citrus juices and other ingredients to balance out the strong flavors of the rum.
The Sour is a direct descendant of the Punch and evolved over time to include a variety of other ingredients, such as egg whites and bitters, which added new dimensions of flavor and complexity to the drink.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Sour is its versatility. The drink can be made with a variety of spirits, including whiskey, gin, and tequila, each of which imparts its own unique flavor profile to the drink. Additionally, bartenders may choose to experiment with different types of citrus, such as lemon, lime, or grapefruit, to create a truly custom cocktail.