The Whiskey Sour: History of a Classic Cocktail

Warm. Refreshing. Classic. A whiskey sour has everything you could want in a classic cocktail. But where did this cocktail come from? Who was the first to create a whiskey sour? Let’s break down the history of this classic cocktail.

Whiskey Sour

What is a Whiskey Sour?

A whiskey sour is a perfect blend of sweet and sour. The traditional whiskey sour is made with bourbon or whiskey and lemon juice, with a bit of sugar for sweetness. 

Where Did the Whiskey Sour Come From?

The first mention of the whiskey sour was in 1862 from The Bartenders Guide by Jerry Thomas. However, it’s likely that people were drinking whiskey sours long before this. Like so many spirits and cocktails, we can thank sailors for this delicious cocktail. 

Traveling by sea was difficult in the 1800s. It was particularly difficult to find clean, fresh water on long voyages, making whiskey, rum and other spirits very popular with sailors. In addition to the lack of clean water, many sailors suffered from scurvy, a potentially fatal disease that was caused, in part, by a lack of vitamin C. 

Enter the lemon.

Sailors would take huge amounts of lemons, limes and oranges on voyages. They would also bring alcohol, and the best alcohol was kept at room temperature, like whiskey and bourbon. 

The whiskey sour was a perfect combination of citrus, to combat scurvy, and whiskey to quench the sailor’s thirst. 

For years whiskey sours were enjoyed by sailors on the sea. Once it finally made it to the shores of the United States, its popularity continued. Bartenders today often add egg white to create the classic foam texture. Many variations have also been created over the years, the most famous of which is the New York Sour. The New York Sour is the classic whiskey sour, with a splash of red wine on top.

New York Sour

Because there are endless combinations of whiskey and citrus, we do not see this cocktail going away any time soon.

How to Make a Whiskey Sour

At Eight Oaks, we keep it traditional with fresh lemon juice and Greenhouse bitters.

Whiskey Sour:

2 oz. Eight Oaks Bourbon

1 1/2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon

4 dashes Eight Oaks Greenhouse Bitters

1 oz Simple Syrup

Shaken well with ice and poured into your rocks glass

Garnish with Amarena Cherries

Cheers. 

At Eight Oaks we don’t just make whiskey, we make a difference. 

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