How to Create a Holiday Design on a Whiskey Sour
When it comes to a Whiskey Sour, they are a classic! One of the best things about this drink is that it’s easy to make and easy to drink. Even better yet, you can completely make this drink you own when it comes to garnishes!
Typically, when you go to a sports bar, and you ask for a Whiskey Sour, the bartender may prepare this drink with a “well” Bourbon with sour mix from the soda gun. If you go to a cocktail lounge, you’ll see it prepared the classic way, with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and a dash of egg white. With the egg whites, it’s also called the “Boston Sour”.
How to Prepare a Whiskey Sour
Main alcohol: Whisky, Bourbon whiskey]
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz (3 parts) Bourbon whiskey, 1 dash egg white, 1 oz (2 parts) Fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz (1 part) Simple syrup
Preparation: Shake with ice. Strain into ice-filled old-fashioned glass to serve “on the rocks.”
Served: Shaken; on the rocks
Standard garnish: Lemon rind, Maraschino cherry, Orange slice,
Drinkware: Cobbler, Old fashioned glass
The Whiskey Sour can also be prepared Vegan, with aquafaba or a cocktail foam agent.
Fresh Victor Cocktail Mixer 
Four Roses Small Batch Select as the main ingredient for my Holiday Whiskey Sour
What is Aquafaba?
The easiest way to explain “aquafaba” is that it is the residual liquid at the bottom of can of chickpeas. Yes, you read correctly, chickpea brine. The starchiness from this specific liquid can be whipped into a magical fluffy foam.
What to Buy: Goya Chick Peas/Garbanzos
How to shake with aquafaba. Add aquafaba in a cocktail shaker; shake “dry” (aka no ice) vigorously 20 to 30 seconds for the liquid to aerate into a foam. Add whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup; fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about 1 minute.
However, like whipped egg whites and heavy cream, you can over-whip aquafaba. So stick to about 30 secs or the aquafaba could deflate.
Although aquafaba is a great vegan alternative, it does have a bit of a funky smell. So another great option is Fee Brothers Fee Foam.
What is Fee Foam?
The active ingredient in Fee Brothers Fee Foam is a foaming agent known as Polysorbate 80. When combined with water, citric acid, or pure lemon extract, it can forth up the same way as egg whites or aquafaba! Not only is this a great alternative, it’s also cost friendly and safe since egg whites have an expiration. There are other foaming agents on the market, but personally, I think this is one to consider!
What to use as a Garnish for a Whiskey Sour?
There are a few options that are traditional for a Whiskey Sour. Many times, you’ll see an orange slice, a lemon rind, maraschino cherries or a combination of the few. Sometimes you’ll see Angostura Bitters or bitters of your choice, placed strategically to create a design. Think of a barista creating a beautiful latte design at a coffee shop. This can start from dots lined up to more intricate designs like hearts.
So I wanted to up the ante a bit and go with a snowflake since we are in the Holiday season! I tried to achieve this by taking a toothpick and running it through dots of bitters, but the results were messy. So instead, I took to social media and got back some great results from my followers!
And guess what?! A discounted stencil from the craft store and a fine mist spray bottle of angostura bitters helped me achieve the look I was going for! Even better yet, it stayed for a 10 minute Holiday photo sesh!
Are you a fan of Whiskey Sours? And have you had this version?
