Irish Sour recipe
A vibrant Irish whiskey sour balancing malted grain, fresh citrus, and silky foam.
Method: Shake and strain over ice ·
Glass: Double old-fashioned glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz egg white (optional for froth)
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
How to make a Irish Sour
- Combine the Irish whiskey, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and aromatic bitters in a cocktail shaker.
- Dry shake vigorously without ice for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake briskly for another 12 to 15 seconds until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a double old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry and an orange twist.
Garnish
Garnish with a brandied cherry and an orange twist perched on the rim.
Pro tip
When incorporating egg white, perform a dry shake first without ice to build a rich, velvety microfoam. Adding ice immediately afterward chills and dilutes the drink to perfection without flattening the texture.
History of the Irish Sour
While simple sours consisting of base spirit, citrus, and sugar trace back to early nineteenth-century bartending manuals like Jerry Thomas's 1862 guide, the Irish whiskey sour emerged as a regional variation substituting amber malt whiskey for bourbon or brandy. Although some pub traditions link early iterations of Irish sours directly to mid-twentieth-century tavern revivals across Dublin and New York, the recipe evolved naturally as Irish whiskey gained international prominence. Today, it remains a beloved staple celebrated for pairing the approachable maltiness of Irish spirits with traditional sour architecture.
Flavour profile
citrusy, malty, tart, smooth
Variations
- Honey Irish Sour — Substitute rich honey syrup for simple syrup and garnish with a lemon wheel.
- Black Barrel Sour — Use charred cask Irish whiskey and add a float of oloroso sherry for deeper caramel and nut depth.
Practise making the Irish Sour in the free Virtual Bar game.