New York Sour

New York Sour

About the New York Sour cocktail

The New York Sour is a classic whiskey sour variation made with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and a float of red wine. It keeps the bright, balanced structure of a Whiskey Sour, but the wine adds color, aroma, tannin, and dark fruit complexity both visually and in flavor.

The drink likely dates back to the late 1800s and has appeared under several names, including Chicago Sour, Continental Sour, Southern Whiskey Sour, Brunswick Sour, and Greenwich Sour. Over time, the New York Sour became the name that stuck, especially after the drink was popularized again by Manhattan bars. Whether made with egg white, without it, or with both foam and wine, it remains one of the most striking and flavorful sour variations.

Glass Old-fashioned glassBase WhiskeyMethod Shaken

Ingredients

2 ozRye whiskey
1 ozLemon juice
3/4 ozSimple syrup (2:1)
1Egg white
1/2 ozPinot Noir

Instructions

  1. Chill an old fashioned glass.
  2. Add all ingredients except the wine to a shaker.
  3. Dry shake (without ice) to start emulsifying (about 10-15 seconds).
  4. Add ice and shake until well chilled (about 10-15 seconds).
  5. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice.
  6. Float the Pinot Noir over the drink.

Flavor profile

SourFruityCitrusCreamySophisticated
Irish Whiskey Sour
Irish Whiskey Sour
Irish whiskey, Lemon juice, Simple syrup (2:1)
Monte Whiskey Sour
Monte Whiskey Sour
Bourbon whiskey, Amaro, Lemon juice
New York Sour
New York Sour
Bourbon whiskey, Lemon juice, Simple syrup (2:1)
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey Sour
Bourbon whiskey, Lemon juice, Simple syrup (2:1)
Pastis Whisky Sour
Pastis Whisky Sour
Scotch whisky, Lemon juice, Simple syrup (2:1)
Tanner's Amaretto Sour
Tanner's Amaretto Sour
Amaretto, Rye whiskey, Orange juice
Cherry Bourbon Sour
Cherry Bourbon Sour
Bourbon whiskey, Cherry brandy, Lemon juice
Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks
Rye whiskey, Apricot liqueur, Lemon juice
Port Light
Port Light
Bourbon whiskey, Lemon juice, Grenadine