New York Sour

The New York Sour is a sophisticated and beautiful twist on the traditional Whiskey Sour. It combines the familiar tangy and sweet balance of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar with an aromatic, fruity layer of dry red wine floated on top. This not only creates a stunning two-toned appearance but also adds depth and complexity to the flavor, with the wine's tannins and dark fruit notes complementing the rich whiskey. The optional egg white gives it a silky, smooth texture and a frothy head.
New York Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The New York Sour is firmly categorized as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the "sour" family of drinks, which are characterized by a base spirit, a sweet element, and a sour element. Its unique red wine float elevates it from a simple sour to a more complex and visually stunning drink.

Serving

This cocktail is served cold in a chilled Rocks glass, often over a large ice cube to minimize dilution. It's a moderately strong drink with a beautiful layered appearance.
Serving size
Approximately 150-180 ml / 5-6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 16-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

While the exact origin is debated, the New York Sour is believed to have first appeared in the late 19th century. One popular theory attributes its creation to a bartender in Chicago, but it gained significant popularity in New York, which led to its current name. The addition of the red wine float was an innovative way to add complexity and visual appeal to the already popular Whiskey Sour.
Origin
United States, late 1800s

New York Sour

The New York Sour is also known by names like the Continental Sour or Southern Whiskey Sour. These alternative names reflect its heritage as a variation of the classic Whiskey Sour. Despite these other monikers, New York Sour is the most widely recognized name for this cocktail today.
Original name
New York Sour
Alternative names
  • Continental Sour
  • Southern Whiskey Sour

Characteristics overview

The New York Sour boasts a complex flavor profile, balancing sour citrus with the rich notes of whiskey and fruity red wine. Its striking two-toned appearance is matched by a smooth, often silky texture.
Flavor
tangy, fruity, rich, oaky, complex, balanced
Aroma
citrus, whiskey, red wine, oak
Taste balance
sour, sweet, slightly bitter
Aftertaste
clean, warming, lingering fruitiness
Fizziness
still, none
Color appearance
amber base with a deep red top layer, frothy white head with egg white
Texture
smooth, silky, medium-bodied
Seasonality
refreshing yet warming, year-round, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a flavor-forward cocktail, dominated by a sour tang and balanced sweetness, with fruity wine notes and moderate alcohol strength. It is a still drink with no creaminess unless an egg white is included for texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a base of whiskey (Rye or Bourbon), fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a dry red wine for the float. An optional egg white can be added for a silky texture.
  • Rye or Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    Rye offers a spicier note, while Bourbon is sweeter.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    Adds a rich, creamy texture and foam head. Can be substituted with aquafaba for a vegan option.
  • Dry Red Wine15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A fruity, dry red like a Malbec, Shiraz, or Claret works well.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking, one large cube or sphere for serving

Mixing equipments

A standard cocktail shaking set including a shaker, jigger, and strainers is required. A bar spoon is also essential for carefully creating the wine float.
  • Cocktail shaker to combine and chill ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement of liquids.
  • Hawthorne and fine mesh strainers for a smooth pour.
  • Bar spoon to help float the red wine.

Instructions

The process involves dry shaking the base ingredients with egg white, then wet shaking with ice, straining into a glass, and carefully floating the red wine on top.
1. Chill a Rocks glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a 'dry shake' (shake without ice) for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
4. Add cubed ice to the shaker and shake again ('wet shake') until well-chilled, about 10-12 seconds.
5. Place a large ice cube in your chilled Rocks glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the glass to remove ice shards and ensure a smooth foam.
7. Very gently and slowly pour the red wine over the back of a bar spoon held just above the drink's surface to create a distinct float.
8. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple lemon or orange twist is the classic garnish, adding a bright citrus aroma that complements the drink's flavors.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink to release oils and placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically dairy-free and gluten-free, but it contains egg white, making it unsuitable for vegans. To make it vegan, omit the egg white and use a certified vegan red wine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving of a New York Sour contains approximately 200-250 calories, with most coming from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate, primarily from the simple syrup and wine.
Calories
Averagely 200-250 kcal / 837-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12g
Sugar level

Occasions

The New York Sour is perfect for sophisticated gatherings, cocktail parties, or as an impressive pre-dinner drink. Its complex flavor profile and elegant appearance make it suitable for any occasion that calls for a special, well-crafted cocktail.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Autumn Evening

Pairing suggestions

The New York Sour's balance of tart, sweet, and rich flavors makes it a versatile food companion. It pairs wonderfully with savory appetizers like charcuterie and aged cheeses. Its robustness also stands up well to heartier dishes such as steak or roasted root vegetables.
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Aged cheeses
  • Steak or grilled meats
  • Roasted vegetables

The New York Sour: A Classic Sour with a Ruby Crown

The New York Sour is an iconic and visually stunning classic cocktail. It elevates the standard Whiskey Sour by adding a float of dry red wine, which introduces fruity complexity and a beautiful layered look. Combining whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, it strikes a perfect balance between sour and sweet, with a rich, smooth texture enhanced by an optional egg white. This sophisticated yet approachable drink is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a well-crafted cocktail at home.

Similar cocktails

Whiskey Sour

The original cocktail without the red wine float.

You May Also Like

Amaretto Sour

A perfectly balanced cocktail marrying the sweet, nutty flavor of amaretto with tart lemon juice, elevated by bourbon and a silky egg white foam.

Chartreuse Swizzle

A refreshingly complex and herbal tiki-style cocktail featuring Green Chartreuse as the star.

Sidecar

A classic and elegant sour cocktail that perfectly balances rich Cognac, tart lemon juice, and sweet orange liqueur.

Painkiller

A tropical tiki cocktail blending dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, garnished with fresh nutmeg.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Gin In The Afternoon

A crisp, botanical, and effervescent variation of the classic "Death in the Afternoon," which elegantly substitutes gin for absinthe.

Millionaire Cocktail

A rich and complex classic sour featuring sloe gin, apricot brandy, and dark rum, balanced with fresh lime juice.

Waldorf Cocktail

A sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail combining rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a dash of absinthe, garnished with a lemon twist.

Shark

A complex and fruity tiki-style sour combining gin, overproof rum, and applejack with pineapple and lemon juices.