Make your sour smoky and smooth with the spicy taste of an old Kentucky tradition: bourbon.
In 1996, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, was said to be struck by lightning. Overnight, two percent of the world’s bourbon stocks were lost in one of the most devastating disasters to hit the spirits industry. With winds gusting up to 70 mph, the storm that was brewing on November 7th was a strong one, and once that bolt hit one of Heaven Hill’s wooden warehouses, it immediately went up in flames. Inside were thousands of barrels of aging bourbon, and once those caught fire, the inferno was impossible to stop.
There’s good news to this story. Heaven Hill Distillery still operates and produces fine Kentucky bourbon to this very day, and is the largest independent and family-owned maker of distilled spirits in the United States.
Today’s cocktail is the Bourbon Sour, a tasty and robust riff on the classic whiskey version. An old-school mixture that includes lemon and sugar, the Whiskey Sour first appeared in Jerry Thomas’ 1862 book, The Bartender’s Guide. I recount the story above, not just because I find it fascinating, but also because I feel that from time-to-time we should stop and appreciate the folks who work hard to bring us some fantastic spirits. A toast to them!
What is the best bourbon to use in a Bourbon Sour?
You work hard, so why not play hard, right? Treat yourself to a nice, top-shelf barrel-aged bourbon when mixing yourself up this particular sour. The smooth texture and feel of a good spirit is fine to sip on its own, but melded with the sweetness of the simple syrup and tart taste of the lemons, you’ll be enjoying more than a few of these far into the evening, feeling perfectly relaxed and maybe even a little reflective.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce lemon juice fresh
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white optional
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and pour in the bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- For a frothy texture, add an optional egg white.
- Secure the lid on the shaker and shake well for about 30 seconds. Remember, if you're including the egg white, you'll need to shake without ice for the first 15 seconds, before adding the ice and shaking again.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
A rocks glass is made for these classy cocktails. Top it off with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice for garnish.
How does a Bourbon Sour taste different to a Whiskey Sour?
Whiskey Sours tend to have a sort of buttery and sweet flavor but Bourbon Sours provide creamy notes of vanilla and brown sugar, giving a smooth and oaky-tinged cocktail.
Bourbon Sour Variations
Despite the name, a sour cocktail is one of the most delicious and satisfying beverages you can enjoy. The tartness of the lemons mixed with the sweetness of the sugar allows a variety of spirits to feel right at home in this classic and historic concoction. Twist & Toast has a number of recipes for you to add to your repertoire. Here’s a sampling:
- Rum Sour – Swap the bourbon for rum to take this cocktail in a tropical direction.
- Amaretto Sour – Give your next cocktail a smooth and almond-flavored finish.
- Maracuyá Sour – Exotic and tart flavors take center stage in this variation.
- Gin Sour – One of my go-to poolside companions.
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