Cocktail hour
Make the perfect Whisky Sour
Looking to nail the perfect whisky sour? We've got you covered.
Whisky experts, Ervin Trykowski and Tim Philips-Johansson, are here to help you raise your cocktail-making game.
The whisky sour is one of the most loved classic cocktails for a reason. It's easy to make and even easier to sip, making it a great drink for celebrating those unforgettable moments with your favourite people.
Did you know that the whisky sour has its own holiday? Yes, you read that right. National Whisky Sour Day is a thing. It takes place each year on August 25 – a good excuse to invite your whisky-loving friends round for drinks and overdue catchups, right?
Ervin's notes on the Whisky Sour
As the name suggests, this is a cocktail that is sour in taste yet balanced in flavour. Fun fact: most whisk(e)y sour recipes are made with bourbon, so the letter 'e' in whisk(e)y is included. This is because the origin of bourbon and rye liquor is from America. And while Scotch whisky is not commonly used in a whisk(e)y sour, you can still use it for a great tasting sip.
Now, let's talk about the recipe – whisk(e)y, sugar, lemon juice, and egg white. But if you or your guests are not into eggs, you can remove them. The egg is an optional ingredient. And it's common to find many bartenders serving whisky sours without it. But if eggs are your thing, or if you want to give it a try, you'll need to perform a "dry shake" and shake all the ingredients without ice before shaking again with fresh ice.
Bartender Tip
“Technique plays a huge role in the creation of an epic whisk(e)y sour. After shaking with ice, open your shaker, be sure to strain your cocktail back into the empty half of your cocktail shaker. From there, throw away your used ice and shake your cocktail again (with no ice). Lastly, strain your cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer to create a silky sour.”
Tim
@timdphilips
Global Ambassador, Johnnie Walker
Ervin's recipe for the perfect Whisky Sour
INGREDIENTS
50ml of Talisker
25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
15ml-25ml simple syrup, to taste
1 egg white (optional)
Cubed ice
GARNISH
Cherry or Lemon
METHOD
Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add the whisky, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well. Strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with a cherry or lemon peel. And enjoy!
