We wrap up our Home Bar Series with a Whiskey Sour made with Macallan Bourbon. For many first time whiskey drinkers or those curating their first home bar or bar cart, whiskey can be a tricky one. As cliche as it sounds, whiskey is an acquired taste. For this reason some may shy away from including it in their home bar. However, whiskey is still versatile in mixed drinks and cocktails are a great way to introduce yourself or others to whiskey’s distinct taste.
As with many cocktails and alcoholic drinks, the whiskey sour got it’s start as a medicinal drink! Centuries ago sailors in the British Navy were drinking something very similar to the Whiskey Sour. On long journeys across seas, fresh water was not always available. Therefore, sailors would satiate their thirst with spirits. Scurvy was also a concern so lemons and limes were used to ward off illness. Sugar and water were added for taste.
The most important aspect of the whiskey sour? Balance. Like all things in life, the whiskey sour needs the perfect proportions of it’s components: bracing lemon juice, warm bourbon, and a sweet simple syrup. These are all the ingredients you need to make a cocktail that is refreshing but warm.
Pro tip: fresh lemon (or lime) juice is essential for this cocktail!
Recipe
1. Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously. The shaker should be cold once you’re done! This will take about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into an old fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice. Add your garnish. We recommend an orange wheel and cherry.
