New York Sour
The New York Sour is a strong whiskey sour, sweet and tart on the palate. Shaken and served in a sour glass.
- 3 min
- Sour glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 64 out of 100
- Sweet
- 78 out of 100
- Fruity
- 40 out of 100
- Smoky
- 36 out of 100
- Boozy
- 57 out of 100
How to make a New York Sour
To make a New York Sour, shake 2 oz bourbon, ¾ oz lemon juice and ¾ oz simple syrup hard with ice, strain into a sour glass, then float ½ oz red wine on top without stirring.
You'll need
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon juice¾ oz
- Simple syrup¾ oz
- Red wine½ oz
- Lemon, Maraschino cherrygarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Skip the float? That's the Bourbon Sling, the Bourbon Sour or the Whiskey Sour.
Instructions
- 1
Use a sour glass.
- 2
Add bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain it into the glass.
- 6
Float the red wine on top: pour it slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface, so it sits in a dark layer without stirring.
- 7
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry.
- 8
Serve it as it is: the float drifts down into the drink as you sip.
Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly. The red wine goes on last: shaken in, it turns the sour pink and muddy; floated, it sits as a deep red layer over the pale sour.
New York Sour questions
What does a New York Sour taste like?
Mostly sweet and tart. It's a strong drink at about 17% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a New York Sour?
About 17% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a New York Sour and a Bourbon Sling?
Both use bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup. The New York Sour adds red wine. The New York Sour is blended and served in a sour glass; the Bourbon Sling is shaken and served in a highball glass.
Should a New York Sour be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: lemon juice and simple syrup need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Can I make New York Sours in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 12 oz bourbon, 4½ oz lemon juice, 4½ oz simple syrup and 3 oz red wine in a jug and chill it. Add 4¾ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a New York Sour in?
A sour glass.