Today is international Whiskey Sour Day – the perfect time to celebrate a classic cocktail that’s a favourite among whiskey lovers worldwide. 

In 1862, American bartender Jerry Thomas published the first recipe for a Whiskey Sour, a drink that originated when sailors started adding lemon to their whiskey to combat scurvy on the high seas, and then further diluted the drink with sugar and water for taste.

While these are the classic flavours of the whiskey sour, why not shake things up on this special day and try some modern twists on the original recipe?

“Cheers! Spirits from the USA”, a campaign that celebrates and educates Australian consumers on US spirits, has collated four recipes utilising American whiskeys that are simple to make at home, particularly if you’re in lockdown:

The Chicago Sour

A classic drink made more interesting – both visually and in flavour – by the adding a float of red wine. 

44ml Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels

23ml fresh squeezed lemon juice

23ml simple syrup

1 egg white

Red wine

Preparation: Shake, then strain, float red wine on top.

Gentleman’s Sour

With its prominent vanilla and light spice reminiscent of the Tennessee style we all know in Jack Daniel’s, Gentleman Jack provides a great base for this twist on the classic drink.

44 ml Gentleman Jack

30 ml fresh lemon juice

15 ml sugar syrup (1:1)

Dash egg white

Dash of Angostura bitters

Preparation: Shake & strain all ingredients over quality ice. Lemon to garnish.

Bourbon Lemonade

Light, long and refreshing: the Bulleit Bourbon Lemonade is a tangy and sweet combination that highlights the spicy notes of their high-rye bourbon. 

40ml Bulleit Bourbon

120ml lemonade

1 slice lemon.

Preparation: Serve on the rocks or blend with ice, in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon slice.

The Frisco Sour

A Frisco Sour is a variation on the classic Frisco Cocktail. The simple combination of bourbon, grenadine and citrus results in a complex sour flavour.

30ml James E. Pepper Bourbon

10ml lemon juice

10ml lime juice

10ml grenadine

90ml soda water

Preparation: Add ingredients to mixing glass. Stir ingredients together until mixed. Pour into ice old glass. 

Angel’s Envy, Gentleman Jack, Bulleit and James E. Bourbon are all part of The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS). DISCUS has kicked-off its “Cheers! Spirits from the USA” campaign in Australia to raise awareness and knowledge of the heritage, flavour profiles, and quality of U.S. distilled spirits. 

For more information, please visit https://www.instagram.com/americanspiritsinaus/ or https://www.facebook.com/AmericanSpiritsinAus.

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