National Whiskey Sour Day

The story

Whiskey sours, belonging to the esteemed sour cocktail family, have a rich history rooted in mixology, with Jerry Thomas documenting their recipes in 1862. This cocktail family, encompassing gin sours, rum sours, pisco sours, and whiskey sours, is celebrated for its trio of components: a base distilled beverage, acidic citrus juice, and a sweet element. The whiskey sour, introduced in the 1870s, gained fame through publications like the Waukesha Plain Dealer.

Although its origin is debated between Wisconsin and Iquique, Peru, it has become an iconic cocktail. Recognized by the International Bartender Association, the official whiskey sour recipe includes bourbon whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, with an optional egg white for frothiness. As a classic, the whiskey sour has inspired variations like the Boston sour with egg white and the scotch sour using scotch instead of bourbon.

The New York sour stands out by incorporating red wine into the mix. With its enduring appeal and versatility, the whiskey sour remains an Unforgettable cocktail, showcasing its status in the world of mixology.