Enjoy fall with this easy Bourbon Sour recipe! With bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, Angostura Bitters and a touch of egg white, this cocktail will refresh you.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 199
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 egg white - optional
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest or cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Add Egg White: Crack open an egg, separate the white from the yolk, and pour the white into the shaker (optional).
- Add Bitters: Pour 2 dashes of Angostura bitters into the shaker.
- Add Lime Juice: Measure and pour ¾ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Simple Syrup: Add ½ oz simple syrup to the mix.
- Add Bourbon: Pour 2 oz Bourbon into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice. Close it well and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15 seconds. If you’re not using egg white, go directly to step 7.
- Dry Shake (only if using egg white): Open the shaker. Using the cocktail strainer, pour the liquid into the other tin and discard the ice. Close the shaker again and shake another time, for 15-20 seconds, without ice this time.
- Prep glass: Fill an old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
- Strain: Using the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the glass.
- Garnish: Express the lemon zest on top of the glass (you can either discard it after or place it on the rim of the glass for an added orange touch) and add a cherry if you like.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey or Scotch can be used as a substitute. Both will alter the flavor profile slightly but still make for a delicious sour.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best, but bottled lemon juice can work, too, if you're in a pinch. Just be aware it may alter the freshness of the cocktail. Fresh lime juice can also be used as an alternative if you don’t have lemons on hand.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat. Alternatively, honey or agave nectar can be used for a different sweetness profile.
- Angostura Bitters: You can play with the choice of Bitters used here, such as chocolate bitters for example. If you don’t have any bitters or are not sure about the one to use you can simply leave it out.
- Egg White: This is optional and primarily for texture. If you're not a fan, leave it out.
Making a Pitcher of Bourbon Sour:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 6 oz of lemon juice, 4 oz of simple syrup and 16 dashes of Angostura Bitters. When making a pitcher, do not use egg white as they need to be properly & individually shaken to reach the proper texture.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, Angostura Bitters and simple syrup. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled old fashioned glasses and garnish with lemon zests twists and/or cherries. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container. Serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Angostura Bitters: You can simply omit the bitters when making an alcohol-free version of this drink. Also, note that 2 dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, this can also be a suitable option.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Egg White Substitute: If you want to keep the frothy top but make it vegan, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) is a great substitute. Use the same amount as you would egg white.
- Maraschino Cherries: Be sure to use vegan-friendly garnishes. Some maraschino cherries are colored with cochineal (a type of insect), so look for brands that don't use animal products.
What is a Bourbon Sour?
A Bourbon Sour is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, Angostura Bitters and an egg white (which is optional). This drink is relatively easy to make as it only requires three main ingredients and simple steps: shaking the mixture with ice and straining it into a glass. An interesting fact about this cocktail is that some versions include an egg white for added frothiness and texture, although this is optional.
What is a Bourbon Sour made of – The ingredients
A Bourbon Sour can be made using these ingredients:
- Bourbon: The base spirit of the cocktail, bourbon gives the drink its characteristic strong, rich, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a tartness that balances the sweetness of the bourbon and sugar. It also provides a refreshing citrus note.
- Simple Syrup: This mixture of sugar and water sweetens the cocktail and helps to mellow out the bourbon’s strength.
- Egg White: Optional in some recipes, but it adds a creamy texture and frothy top to the cocktail when used.
- Angostura Bitters: A few dashes enhance the overall flavor profile of the drink, adding complexity to its botanical ingredients.
- Ice: Chills the cocktail, dilutes the strong flavors slightly, and adds volume to make it more enjoyable to sip.
- Cherry and Lemon Zest (for garnish): These make the drink visually appealing and add subtle fruity undertones when infused with the rest of the ingredients.
