New York Sour recipe
Bourbon, lemon juice, red wine (chilled), simple syrup, Angostura bitters and more, shaken and strained into an Old Fashioned glass, garnished with a slice of lemon.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 7 ingredients
- Old Fashioned glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a New York Sour?
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of Whiskey. It was created in America and is a barrel-aged distilled liquor that’s made primarily from corn.
The name Bourbon originates from the French Bourbon Dynasty, but how this type of American whiskey got that name is up for debate.
Major contenders include:
- Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Bourbon County in Kentucky
…with the latter the reason why Bourbon is so closely connected to Kentucky.
Interestingly, by law, Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the US, be made from at least 51% corn, and stored in a container of charred oak.
For Bourbon, we recommend:
Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup is a common ingredient in cocktails and is used simply to sweeten a drink.
You can buy the syrup off the shelf, but it’s also pretty easy to make yourself. It’s made by combining sugar and water in equal parts – simple, right?
If you do want to buy it off the shelf, we recommend:
Angostura Bitters
Angostura bitters is a concentrated bitters (aka a herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian (a plant with a bitter root), herbs, and spices.
It’s produced by the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago and is called Angostura as it was created in the town of Angostura in Venezuela.
Angostura Bitters are typically used for flavouring drinks, and the House of Angostura also makes orange bitters.
For Angostura Bitters, we recommend:
Cocktails with Angostura Bitters
Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the thick water remnants of cooked legume seeds such as chickpeas.
It is well established to mimic the role of egg whites in cooking and can be used in anything from meringues to cocktails as a vegan alternative.
What Equipment do you need to make a New York Sour?
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bond says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed cocktail shaker comparison.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
Old Fashioned Glass
Old Fashioned Glasses give a cocktail a classic, retro, yet elegant look.
If you’re making an old school cocktail, then this is the glass you absolutely need.
For Old Fashioned Glasses, we recommend:
Bar Spoon
Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re supposed to stir, rather than shake in a cocktail shaker.
Sure, you can probably use any spoon to stir your drink but these bar spoons are the real deal. It’s the proper equipment to get the job right.
- They’re long enough to get to the bottom of any cocktail to allow you to properly stir.
- They have a twist spiral design that allows for a better grip.
- They’re made out of stainless steel, so they’re durable, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean.
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Recipe card
New York Sour
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Old Fashioned glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add the bourbon, Angostura bitters, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg whites (or aquafaba) to your cocktail shaker and shake well.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again until the mix is well-chilled.
- Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over ice.
- Pour the red wine over the back of a bar spoon so it’s distributed evenly and floats on top of the mix.
- Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of modern cocktails.
New York Sour FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a New York Sour?
To make a New York Sour, you need 60ml / 2oz bourbon, 30ml / 1oz lemon juice, 15ml / 0.5oz red wine (chilled), 15ml / 0.5oz simple syrup, 1 dash Angostura bitters and 15ml / 0.5oz egg whites (or aquafaba), plus a slice of lemon to garnish. There’s more about bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and aquafaba above.
What Equipment do you need to make a New York Sour?
You’ll need a cocktail shaker, an Old Fashioned glass and a bar spoon.
What alcohol is in a New York Sour?
A New York Sour contains 60ml / 2oz bourbon and 15ml / 0.5oz red wine (chilled).
Is a New York Sour shaken or stirred?
A New York Sour is shaken. Shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker, then strain it into an Old Fashioned glass and top it up.
Can I make a New York Sour without a cocktail shaker?
A cocktail shaker is best, but a clean jam jar with a tight lid works too. Add ice and the ingredients, screw the lid on and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain it into your glass through a small sieve.
What glass is a New York Sour served in?
Serve a New York Sour in an Old Fashioned glass.
How do you garnish a New York Sour?
Garnish a New York Sour with a slice of lemon.
How do I make a New York Sour for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 240ml bourbon, 120ml lemon juice, 60ml red wine (chilled), 60ml simple syrup, 4 dashes Angostura bitters and 60ml egg whites (or aquafaba). Shake one or two drinks at a time, so there’s room in the shaker for the ice.
