New York Sour recipe
A whiskey sour with a red wine float — beautiful layers and complex flavor.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon or Rye
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- 0.5 oz Dry Red Wine (floated on top)
How to make a New York Sour
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12-15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Slowly pour red wine over the back of a spoon to float on top.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.
Garnish
Lemon wheel and cherry.
Pro tip
The wine float is everything — pour it slowly over the back of a barspoon so it sits on top in a beautiful layer. Use a dry, fruity red like Malbec or Shiraz. The two layers mix as you drink, changing the flavor with every sip.
History of the New York Sour
Dates back to the 1880s when it was known as the Continental Sour. The red wine float was a common technique in the era. It fell out of fashion but was revived during the craft cocktail boom of the 2000s.
Flavour profile
Tart, Fruity, Boozy, Complex
Variations
- New York Sour Royale — Float sparkling red wine for bubbles
- Egg White NY Sour — Add egg white for a silky foam layer under the wine
- Mezcal NY Sour — Use mezcal instead of whiskey for smoky depth
Practise making the New York Sour in the free Virtual Bar game.