Boasting a striking two-toned look, the New York sour cocktail appears tailor-made for social media, yet it traces back to the 1880s. A boozy variation of a whiskey sour infused with wine, this drink is autumn-ready with a Malbec floater.
Despite its name, the New York sour is misleadingly named, having originated nearly 800 miles away in Chicago. So, why the mismatched name?
Rumor has it that the drink became popular in NYC bars, adopting its name there after considering options like the “continental sour” and “claret snap.” These stories, however, remain unverified, leaving the cocktail’s name origin shrouded in mystery.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
What Makes It Special? Red Wine
The New York sour tastes much like a typical whiskey sour with its sweet, lemony whiskey base. Its standout feature, however, is the addition of wine, which adds an unexpected burst of berry flavor.
Given the cocktail’s sweet foundation, thanks to simple syrup, a dry red wine is recommended. My preference is Malbec, while the traditional choice is claret (a British term for Bordeaux red wines). Other suitable options are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Best Type of Whiskey
Although a whiskey sour can use any whiskey, rye is the best choice here. Its spiciness complements the rich wine, preventing it from being overshadowed by softer whiskies. Old Overholt is my preferred rye for cocktails, but Redemption Rye or Whistle Pig are good alternatives.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Adding an Egg White (and Alternatives)
Including an egg white in your whiskey sour is an option here as well. Although not part of the original recipe, this ingredient has grown in popularity for some time.
The rationale for adding egg white is two-fold: it provides a smooth mouthfeel and helps blend the ingredients, softening any sharpness from the whiskey and lemon.
For vegans or anyone who prefers not to use egg white, aquafaba can be substituted (1 ounce for the egg white), or it can simply be omitted.
How to Create Pretty Layers
If you’re worried about achieving the drink’s beautiful layers, don’t be. Even if the floating isn’t perfect, the taste remains unaffected.
Here’s a tip: to make the wine float gracefully, slowly pour it over the back of a spoon, slightly touching the top of the drink. You can move the spoon a bit to ensure even distribution.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
More Sours for Sipping
The egg white is optional and can be substituted with 1 ounce of aquafaba for a vegan version.
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2 ounces rye whiskey
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1 ouncefreshly squeezed lemon juice
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1/2 ounce simple syrup
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1 egg white, optional
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3/4 ounce red wine, such as Malbec, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon
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Combine the ingredients:
In a cocktail shaker filled 2/3 with ice, pour in the rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, if using.
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Shake:
Shake hard for 20 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
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Add the wine:
Position a spoon over the drink as close to the top as you can get without touching the liquid. Slowly pour the red wine over the back of the spoon to create a layer on top. Serve.
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Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 177 | Calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 9g | Carbs |
| 0g | Protein |
×
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 177 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| 0mg | 0% |
| 9mg | 0% |
| 9g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 7g | |
| 0g | |
| Vitamin C 4mg | 22% |
| Calcium 5mg | 0% |
| Iron 0mg | 1% |
| Potassium 62mg | 1% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
