When starting to make cocktails the main advice I could give is to start with a cocktail that you like. However, if you like many cocktails of different types or don’t know what you like but would like to start making cocktails, my main recommendation would be the Whisk(e)y Sour. While it is very basic there is much that can be done with this simple cocktail to make you feel like a champ of cocktails. To start there are several types of whisk(e)y that may be used. The recipe I share today I use a bourbon, but they can be made with other whiskies as well, such as rye, scotches, Irish whiskeys, Japanese whiskies, etc. Due to the different characters of each whisk(e)y the cocktails will be completely different. Another possibility of changing it around may be to switch the sugar/syrup in the cocktail, by using honey syrup instead of simple syrup, the cocktail changes flavour to something completely different, start by making different flavoured syrups then you get new cocktails.

While it may be possible to switch out lemon for lime, in my opinion and experience, lemon works better with whisk(e)y than lime does. A further adaptation of the cocktail is the use of bitters as a flavouring agent, once again different bitters may change the characteristic. Lastly there is the use of egg whites, you may try to use egg whites as a way of changing the texture of the cocktail. I like to keep these kinds of beginners’ recipes as simple as possible and allow the creator of the cocktail to find his or her own twist, and perhaps they will stumble upon something that is fantastic. While one thing that is important with cocktails is to keep the balance right but by following the 2:1:1 (spirit:sugar:acid) for this particular cocktail will be sufficient.

My Recipe

  • 2 oz (6 cl) Bourbon
  • 1 oz (3 cl) Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz (3 cl) Simple Syrup
  • 1 Egg White (Optional)

Add the ingredients to a shaker, dry shake if using egg whites, add ice and shake to chill and dilute the cocktail. Strain into a double old fashioned glass with ice or an chilled coupe glass.