New York Sour

Name: New York Sour Whiskey Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 Juice of a Lemon; 1 tsp Powdered Sugar; 2 oz Old Thompson Blended Whiskey

The New York Sour is a straightforward whiskey cocktail combining Old Thompson blended whiskey with fresh lemon juice and powdered sugar for a tart, balanced drink.

🏷️Equipment: sour glass

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$10–$16

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Mr. Boston Drinks · by Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide 50th Anniversary Edition

Ingredients

1/2 Juice of a Lemon
1 tsp Powdered Sugar
2 oz Old Thompson Blended Whiskey

3 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Shake with ice and strain into sour glass, leaving about half-inch on which to float claret.
2
Decorate with a half-slice of lemon and a cherry.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Dissolve powdered sugar thoroughly with lemon juice before adding whiskey to avoid grittiness
Chill your glass with ice water before pouring to keep the drink cold longer
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice—bottled loses its bright acidity within hours
Stir well with ice for 10-15 seconds to properly chill and dilute the drink

Substitutions

Old Thompson blended whiskey → any bonded or standard blended whiskey (adjust to taste preference)
Powdered sugar → simple syrup, 1/2 oz (easier to dissolve and measure)
Fresh lemon juice → lime juice (creates a different but equally valid sour profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Cocktails are best served immediately after mixing. Pre-batch the sugar-lemon mixture and store refrigerated up to 1 day, then add whiskey fresh.

Equipment

jigger or measuring spoon · cocktail shaker or mixing glass · bar spoon

Common Questions

What's the difference between a New York Sour and a regular whiskey sour?

The New York Sour traditionally uses Old Thompson blended whiskey and maintains a simple three-ingredient formula without egg white or additional bitters.