Caramel Whiskey Sour
A citrus and sour whiskey cocktail ∙ Dry shake ∙ 5 min ∙ 15.6% ABV ∙
The Caramel Whiskey Sour is a bourbon sour sweetened with caramel syrup, shaken with lemon juice and egg white and served over ice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Bourbon 60 mlLemon juice 30 mlCaramel syrup 20 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 3 dashes (opt.)Saline solution 2 dashes (opt.)Egg white 15 ml
- Strain back into the shaker
- Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify
- Fine strain into the ice-filled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- After the ice shake, strain it back and dry shake hard for another 15 seconds; cut it short and the drink comes out thin, not silky.
History
The Caramel Whiskey Sour is a modern riff on the Whiskey Sour. It keeps the whiskey, citrus, and sweetener structure but swaps in caramel syrup as the sweetener, giving the sour a darker, toffee-like sweetness.
The earliest known printed mention of the Whiskey Sour dates to 1826, and no single creator is credited.
FAQ
What is in a Caramel Whiskey Sour?
60 ml bourbon, 30 ml fresh lemon juice, 20 ml caramel syrup and 15 ml pasteurized egg white. Three dashes of Angostura bitters and two of saline solution are optional; they keep the caramel from tasting too sweet against the lemon.
What is the 3:2:1 ratio for a Whiskey Sour?
It is a common rule of thumb: 3 parts whiskey to 2 parts lemon juice to 1 part sweetener. This recipe runs 60 ml bourbon, 30 ml lemon juice, and 20 ml caramel syrup, closer to 3:1.5:1, with a little egg white for texture.
What is the best whiskey for a whiskey sour?
Bourbon, which is what this recipe uses; its sweetness and vanilla notes suit the lemon and, here, the caramel. A spicier rye also works but makes the drink drier and sharper.
Is a Caramel Whiskey Sour shaken or stirred?
Shaken twice. First shake with ice to chill and dilute, strain the ice out, then shake again without ice to whip the egg white into foam. Fine-strain over fresh ice.
What glass is a Caramel Whiskey Sour served in?
An old-fashioned glass, over ice, garnished with a lemon twist.
