New York Sour Recipe (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

5 from 1 vote

Apr 21, 2021, Updated Jan 05, 2024

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The New York Sour is a delicious spin on the classic Whiskey Sour. If you’re a bourbon lover who loves a citrusy and refreshing co*cktail with a unique fruity twist, look no further than the New York Sour!

The original Whiskey Sour appeared in 1862 in Jerry Thomas’How to Mix Drinks. This co*cktaildid notcontain egg whites. The introduction of egg whites came a little later and is often referred to as aBoston Sour, by some purists.

Table of Contents

  • New York Sour vs Boston Sour
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make a New York Sour
  • Expert Tips
  • Dry Shaking Egg Whites
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Whiskey co*cktails
  • New York Sour Recipe

New York Sour vs Boston Sour

The New York sour is a modern-day variation of the Whiskey Sour. It’s essentially the same co*cktail but made with a float of dry red wine to top it all off. Some variations call for red wine in place of egg white, while others incorporate both techniques. I prefer the co*cktail made with both egg whites and red wine.

It’s a phenomenal blend of complexity and silky smooth texture. The Whiskey Sour has also sparked other popular variations such as the Tequila Sour, Pisco Sour, and Amaretto Sour.

Looking for more delicious classic whiskey co*cktails? Try the Sazerac, Improved Whiskey co*cktail, Old Fashioned co*cktail, and Brown Derby co*cktail!

Ingredients

New York Sour Recipe (3)
  • Bourbon: I like Elijah Craig or Larceny for this co*cktail.
  • Fresh lemon juice: always use fresh over concentrate. If you don’t have fresh lemons, I prefer ReaLemon juice.
  • Simple syrup: a 50-50 blend of dissolved sugar and water.
  • Egg white or pasteurized liquid egg whites: fresh eggs work best but pasteurized liquid egg whites work if you’re concerned with consuming raw eggs.
  • Dry red wine: dry fruity wines such as Zinfandel, Chianti, or Bordeaux work well with this co*cktail.
  • Luxardo cherry garnish

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

How to Make a New York Sour

Step 1.

Begin with a “dry shake”:in a Boston shaker, combine bourbon, lemon, egg white, and sugarwithoutice and vigorously shake for 30 seconds. This dry shake helps break down the proteins in the egg white, resulting in a creamier and smoother texture. It prevents dilution that may occur if ice is added right away.

New York Sour Recipe (4)
New York Sour Recipe (5)

Step 2.

Shake with ice: after the dry shake, add a cup of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for an additional 20-30 seconds. This is the chilling process.

New York Sour Recipe (6)

Step 3.

Strain: double strain the mixture into a double old-fashioned glass over fresh ice or serve it straight up in a coupe glass. The egg white will create a beautiful foam crown on the surface, enhancing the visual appeal and texture of your co*cktail.

New York Sour Recipe (7)

Step 4.

Slowly pour the red wine over the back of a spoon to carefully float it on top of the drink.

Quick Tip

Use a speed pourer to float the red wine. This will help to precisely pour the wine over a spoon. Place your finger over the air intake hole to slow the flow of wine.

New York Sour Recipe (8)

Expert Tips

  • Always double-strain shaken co*cktails through a fine mesh strainer. This removes tiny ice chips and also aerates the egg whites.
  • Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.
  • Shaking with larger ice cubes or ice chunks will prevent the ice from breaking down and producing small ice chips. This makes straining easier and enhances egg white foam and head retention.

Dry Shaking Egg Whites

Dry shaking is a technique of shaking co*cktail ingredients withno ice. Dry shaking egg white will help break down the proteins in the egg and make it foamier and silky smooth. If you shake with ice first and only, it tends to dilute the egg whites and make them more watery.

Any co*cktail with egg white should be shaken aggressively for a solid 20-30 seconds to whip up the egg, otherwise, it defeats the purpose.

Once the egg whites are frothy, add ice, give the co*cktail a vigorous few shakes to chill, and strain into your glass over ice. The egg white will float on the surface yielding a nice foamy crown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wine should I use?

You can use any wine you like or have on hand. I lean towards fruity dry wines so the co*cktail is not overly sweet. Look for California Zinfandel, Chianti, or a Bordeaux.

Are raw egg whites safe to consume in co*cktails?

Consuming raw eggs always poses a risk for foodborne illness. If you’re concerned, you can use pasteurized liquid egg whites sold in a carton or aquafaba. At a minimum, always use fresh eggs.

Can I make this without the egg?

Yes, a red wine float alone adds sweetness and depth.

What’s the best bourbon to use?

Buffalo Trace
Larceny
Elijah Craig
Michter’s
Henry McKenna Single Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel
Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek
Maker’s Mark

More Whiskey co*cktails

Scofflaw co*cktail Recipe

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe)

Sidecar co*cktail Recipe

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this co*cktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

5 from 1 vote

New York Sour Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Save

New York Sour Recipe (14)

A classic New York Sour recipe made with bourbon, lemon, simple sugar, egg white, and a red wine float. Frothy, citrusy, and refreshing.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2-3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 egg white, or 1-ounce pasteurized liquid egg white
  • Dry red wine, Zinfandel, Chianti, Bordeaux
  • Luxardo cherry, for garnish

Instructions

  • Begin with a “dry shake”:In a Boston shaker, combine bourbon, lemon, egg white, and sugarwithoutice and vigorously shake for 30 seconds. This dry shake helps break down the proteins in the egg white, resulting in a creamier and smoother texture. It prevents dilution that may occur if ice is added right away.

  • Shake with ice: After the dry shake, add a cup of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for an additional 20 seconds. This is the chilling process.

  • Strain: Double strain the mixture into a double old-fashioned glass over fresh ice or serve it straight up in a coupe glass. The egg white will create a beautiful foam crown on the surface, enhancing the visual appeal and texture of your co*cktail.

  • Slowly pour the red wine over the back of a spoon to carefully float it on top of the drink. A speed pourer really helps to be more precise with this step. Place your finger over the air intake hole to slow the flow of wine.

Notes

Always use fresh eggs at the very least. If you’re unsure about using raw egg white, you can use pasteurized liquid egg whites sold in a carton or aquafaba.

Always double-strain shaken co*cktails through a fine mesh strainer. This removes tiny ice chips and also aerates the egg whites.

Use a speed pourer to float the red wine. This will help to precisely pour the wine over a spoon.

Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 18.5gProtein: 3.8gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

New York Sour Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a whiskey sour and a New York Sour? ›

On its most basic level, the New York Sour is basically a whiskey sour with a float of red wine to finish. A splash of dry red wine balances the slightly sweet whiskey sour base and adds depth of flavor.

What is the best wine to use in a New York Sour? ›

To make a New York Sour, you'll need a co*cktail shaker, strainer, shot measure and a tablespoon. Next, for what goes in the New York Sour. 15ml of Dry, Fruity Red Wine. Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot work particularly well.

Why is it called a New York Sour? ›

The Sour evolved from this style of drink with very similar ingredients (and in many ways, remains just a mini punch recipe). The New York Sour is not as old as these originals and was thought to have been first made in the 1880s by a bartender in Chicago, before being later popularised in New York.

Does a New York Sour use egg white? ›

A classic bourbon-based Whiskey Sour made more interesting – both visually and in flavour by the addition of a float of red wine. Egg white is not classically used in a New York Sour but some prefer this drink with the mouthfeel and change of appearance egg white imparts.

Which whiskey is best for whiskey sour? ›

  • Bulleit Rye. ...
  • Rittenhouse Rye. ...
  • Woodford Reserve Bourbon. ...
  • Compass Box Artist Blend. ...
  • TINCUP American Whiskey. ...
  • Crown Royal Deluxe. ...
  • Jameson Black Barerl. ...
  • Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. While Jack Daniel's is renowned for its smooth sipping experience, it shouldn't be overlooked as a fantastic mixer in a whiskey sour.

What type of person drinks whiskey sour? ›

Dating all the way back to the 1800s, a Whisky Sour is about as classic a co*cktail as you can get. If you're a Whisky Sour sipper, it's likely that you are very complex; you tend to have many different - sometimes opposing - personality traits and are extremely adaptable in social situations.

Are you supposed to stir a New York Sour? ›

For me, there are 3 rules to a good New York Sour: Egg White foam. Generous pour of red wine. Never ever stir the layers.

Does a New York Sour have bitters? ›

Method. Pour the whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup and bitters into a co*cktail shaker. Stir the egg white with a fork to loosen it, then add it to the shaker. Shake really well to froth up the egg white.

How to drink a New York Sour? ›

In addition to the whiskey (rye or bourbon), fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup (or sugar) of a traditional whiskey sour, a New York Sour also includes red wine. The whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup are first shaken with ice in a co*cktail shaker, then strained into an ice-filled glass.

What is a Georgia sour? ›

3oz Bourbon 1.5 oz Peach liqueur 1 oz lemon juice 1 oz lime juice 1 oz rosemary syrup** Ivory and Noire | Entertaining, co*cktails, Food, Tablescapes. co*cktails.

What is the taste of New York Sour? ›

The New York Sour co*cktail is a delightful concoction that expertly combines the richness of bourbon with the tanginess of citrus and the velvety texture of red wine. This unique blend of flavors creates a flawless balance that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

What is the difference between a Boston sour and a New York Sour? ›

New York Sour vs Boston Sour

It's essentially the same co*cktail but made with a float of dry red wine to top it all off. Some variations call for red wine in place of egg white, while others incorporate both techniques. I prefer the co*cktail made with both egg whites and red wine.

Can you use boxed egg whites for Whiskey Sour? ›

Store-bought liquid egg whites tend to be pasteurized, which you can absolutely use. However, it does tend to lose some volume.

What is a whisky sour made of? ›

The Whiskey Sour was traditionally made with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and egg white, an ingredient that tames the tart flavor and creates a richer, smoother texture. Today the egg is optional, and it's often more common to find bars serving Whiskey Sours without egg white.

What is the difference between a Whiskey Sour and a whiskey stone sour? ›

In essence, though, the Stone Sour is a Whiskey Sour with added orange juice.

What's the difference between Whiskey Sour and old fashioned? ›

Both a whiskey sour and an old-fashioned co*cktail are made with whiskey—and that's the only similarity really. A whiskey sour balances the whiskey with lemon juice and sugar or simple syrup, while an old-fashioned is stronger, more spirit forward, and made with bitters and a sugar cube.

What's the difference between a Whiskey Sour and a Boston sour? ›

The original Whiskey Sour (without egg white) was created around 1858 and has been one of the most popular co*cktails for over 150 years. Bartenders often add egg white for added texture which is technically known as a Boston Sour.

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