Scotch Sour recipe
A tart and smooth classic cocktail pairing Scotch whisky with fresh citrus and sugar.
Method: Shaken ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Blended Scotch whisky
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz Simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 0.5 oz Egg white
How to make a Scotch Sour
- Combine the blended scotch, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
- Dry shake vigorously without ice for 15 seconds to build a rich foam from the egg white.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake hard for another 12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and a brandied cherry on top.
Garnish
Lemon wheel and brandied cherry
Pro tip
Shake without ice first to build a thick, velvety foam when using egg white.
History of the Scotch Sour
The Scotch Sour is a direct offshoot of the traditional whiskey sour family, substituting bourbon or rye with Scotch whisky to highlight the malt and peat notes of the spirit against tart citrus.
Flavour profile
tart, smooth, malty, citrusy
Variations
- New York Sour — Float a half-ounce of dry red wine on top of the finished scotch sour.
- Penicillin — Muddle fresh ginger, use honey syrup, and float Islay single malt on top.
Practise making the Scotch Sour in the free Virtual Bar game.