Sunday, December 2, 2012

#86 - Make a Real Whiskey Sour

I love whiskey.  I love it.

I hate that most the things it is commonly paired with at bars is sweet.  Jack & Coke = delicious but sweet.  Jameson & Ginger Ale = also delicious but sweet.

So a couple years ago, I had a friend who gave up soda for Lent.  But then he found a few loop holes and drank a little soda anyways.  I got mad, so I told him that I'd give up soda too, and I'd be more committed to Spite than he was to Catholicism.  Yeah, I'm a little mean.

But I won.

During that time though, I went to NYC.  I was seriously puzzled on what to drink.  So I picked up whiskey sours - even though most whiskey sours are really whiskey sweet & sours and so loaded with sugar it hurts a little.  But then, we went to this one bar in Brooklyn, and the bartender said, "Our whiskey sour is a real whiskey sour, made with, like, egg whites.  Are you cool with that?"  Hell yeah, I'm cool with that.  It was delicious.  Not too sweet.  Just whiskey & sour and delight.

Ever since, anytime I see a legit whiskey sour made with egg whites and a homemade mixture instead of pre-made, I get it.  West Coast Tavern in North Park in San Diego has a great one.

But then at home, I stick to Jack & Coke, Jame-o & ginger, or just whiskey & water or on the rocks.  Why couldn't I just learn to make a real whiskey sour?

Today I did...  With the help of my chef-tastic roommate Kevin.


I made simple syrup.  (Now I know why sour mix tastes so sweet.)

I chilled a martini glass.

I pulled an egg white and shook it in a shaker.

I added ice, rye whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.

I shook them up.

I served it with a garnish of lemon peel.






It wasn't perfect looking.  I probably shook it a bit too much, meranguing the egg white a bit too much, but it tasted just right.  Well, maybe a little strong.  But overall, lovely.  And easy.  As long as I have simple syrup pre-made, some lemons & limes, and some whiskey, this will be my drink of choice.  If not, we're back to whiskey on the rocks and weening myself to Scotch.