The New York Sour recipe is a fun (and delicious) spin on the classic Whiskey Sour.
So, if you’re Bourbon fan like me, this citrus and refreshing cocktail will be right up your street!
The New York Sour mixes Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Angostura bitters, Egg Whites, and Red Wine to make a remarkable mix that’s easy on the eyes and the taste buds!
Let’s take a closer look (or Jump directly to the recipe)!
What is a New York Sour?
A New York Sour is a direct descendant of the classic Whiskey Sour; it’s basically the same, except with a float of Red Wine on top and a dash of Angostura Bitters to enhance the flavour.
New York Sour Ingredients
So, what’s in a New York Sour? Let’s take a look.
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:
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Angostura Bitters
Angostura bitters is a concentrated bitters (aka a herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian (a kind of clear liqueur), 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.
Typically, Angostura Bitters are used for flavouring beverages and also produce orange bitters to add to the alcoholic flavouring collection.
For Angostura Bitters, we recommend:
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Cocktails with Angostura Bitters
Red Wine
A good Red Wine is recommended for this recipe.
We recommend:
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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:
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Egg Whites
Egg whites are used to provide the cocktail with a thick, frothy texture.
What is 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 Cocktail as a vegan alternative.
What Do You Need to Make a New York Sour?
So, what barware do we need to make a New York Sour?
Jigger
It’s important to get the mix of any cocktail right. The measurements are set for a reason – to specify a tried, tested, and tasty drink.
A jigger is going to help you get those perfect measurements – after all, it is what the pro’s use.
For a jigger, we recommend:
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Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bonds 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 article.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
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A Hawthorne Strainer
If you (or perhaps the person your buying for) don’t have a Hawthorne strainer as part of a cocktail shaker set, it’s a great, and incredibly useful, cocktail gift you need in your cocktail toolbox.
The strainer is typically used to remove the ice (or any other unwanted solid ingredients) from your cocktail as it’s poured from the cocktail shaker into your glass.
For a Hawthorne Strainer, we recommend:
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A Bar Spoon
Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re suppose 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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Old Fashioned Glass
Traditionally, the New York Sours are served in O|ld Fashioned glasses.
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New York Sour Tasting Notes
The New York Sour is citrusy, tart, and dry, with a smooth texture that makes this mix irresistible…and very dangerous.
History of the New York Sour
The Whiskey Sour has origins in the mid-19th century from the 1862 edition of the famed Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide and the New York Sour update comes 20 years after that.
The New York Sour is said to have been made at some point in the 1880s by a bartender in…Chicago. Yes, Chicago.
It was originally named the Continental Sour, then it became the Southern Whiskey Sour, the Brunswick Sour, and the Claret Snap before becoming popular in New York and becoming the New York Sour.
It first appears in print in the 1934 book Mr. Boston Bartender’s Guide.
New York Sour Recipe
One of the key aspects of this recipe is the dry shaking of the mix.
What is a dry shake?
A dry shake is basically mixing the cocktail ingredients in your cocktail shaker, without ice.
Any recipe that includes egg whites as an ingredient, requires a dry shake.
Why is a Dry Shake Important?
A dry shake is important because it allows the egg whites to mix properly with the other ingredients to create a nice frothy texture.
Normal Shake
It’s important to note, that after the dry shake comes the normal shake – just add ice! This is to keep the mix nice and chilled before pouring.
Now, back to the recipe…
New York Sour
Ingredients
- Bourbon 60ml / 2oz
- Lemon Juice 30ml / 1oz
- Red Wine (chilled) 15ml / .5oz
- Simple Syrup 15ml / .5oz
- Angostura Bitters 1 dash
- Egg Whites (or Aquafaba/) 15ml / .5oz
- Slice of lemon
Recipe
- 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.
- Poor 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe Vegan?
Of course! Just use Aquafaba instead of Egg Whites.
What kind of Red Wine should I use?
Any red wine that you have at hand, would be my answer.
But, a Red Zinfandel is my personal preference.
What’s the best Bourbon to use?
Whatever you have to hand, but I’d recommend heartily Buffalo Trace. I’m a bourbon man and I love this stuff.
What’s the difference between New York Sour and the Whiskey Sour?
The difference is that the New York Sour contains Red Wine, to add a little colour (and additional booze) to the mix.
Why is it called a New York Sour?
It’s called a New York Sour because, although it was created in Chicago, it became immensely popular in New York.
What does a New York Sour taste like?
The New York Sour is a beautiful mix of fruit red wine and smokey bourbon. The Lemon juice provides a citrusy, tart aftertaste.