This apple whisky sour is a delightful twist on the popular classic. Featuring simple ingredients, it is deliciously flavoured with fresh apple cider and bitters. And it only takes two minutes to make. It has quickly become one of my favourites.
Enjoy this in autumn or winter when the stores and farmers' markets are stocked with fresh apple cider. This satisfying cocktail will surely be missed when cider season is officially over until next autumn.
Interested in another apple-based cocktail? I think this fall sangria is also one you will absolutely love. Or, try my blood orange negroni for a delicious winter citrus drink.
Ingredients
- Bourbon whiskey - In bourbon-based cocktails, I often use Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It's quite affordable, which is what you want in a whiskey that will be mixed into a cocktail, and yet has a delicious buttery and nutty flavour profile that blends so well.
- Apple cider - Look for apple cider in the stores and farmers' markets starting around fall. I used a sweet honeycrisp cider. Don't use mulled cider for this recipe.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice - This staple in the classic whiskey sour adds a burst of fresh citrus.
- Pasteurized egg whites - Egg whites are necessary to create the delicious foam on top of this cocktail. I find it's easiest to buy a little jug of pasteurized egg whites, though you can separate the whites from eggs yourself. Check out this guide on how to separate egg whites safely to prevent bacteria from getting into your cocktail.
- Angostura bitters - Infused with flowers, herbs, and spices, this Spanish concoction has been adding flavour to drinks and food since 1824. We add it to give delicious, herbal depth and aromatics to the cocktail.
- Simple syrup - I find that ¼ oz of this sweetener is perfect amount for this drink, but you can adjust it to make the cocktail more or less sweet to your preference.
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Start by adding all of the ingredients, except for the angostura bitters, into a cocktail shaker.
Dry shake (meaning to shake without ice) for 30 seconds, then add some ice and shake for another 20 seconds.
Strain into a coupe glass and top with the bitters. If you want to make the bitters hearts as I have, use a dropper to place the bitter drops where you want them. Then, drag a toothpick through the foam, downwards through the centres of the drops to form hearts.
Equipment
To make this apple whisky sour you will need:
- Cocktail shaker
- Japanese jigger
- Cocktail strainer
All of these and many more useful bartending tools can be found inside this cocktail bar set.
You will also need a coupe glass to serve it in.
Tip for Success
- Don't skip the dry shake part of making this cocktail. This serves to turn the egg whites into a beautiful, thick froth. You follow the dry shake with a shake using ice to chill and dilute the cocktail.
📖 Recipe
Apple Whisky Sour
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Description
This apple whisky sour is a delightful twist on the popular classic, deliciously flavoured with fresh apple cider and bitters.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz (45ml) bourbon
1 oz (30ml) apple cider (not mulled)
½ oz (15ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ oz (15ml) pasteurized egg whites
4 dashes (1.25ml) angostura bitters
¼ oz (7.5ml) simple syrup
Instructions
Start by adding all of the ingredients, except for the angostura bitters, into a cocktail shaker.
Dry shake (meaning to shake without ice) for 30 seconds, then add some ice and shake for another 20 seconds.
Strain into a coupe glass and top with the bitters. If you want to make the bitters hearts as I have, use a dropper to place the bitter drops where you want them. Then, drag a toothpick through the foam, downwards through the centres of the drops to form hearts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 39
- Sugar: 7.7 g
- Sodium: 34.9 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.3 g
- Protein: 1.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: apple whisky sour
Rita says
So pretty. Tastes really good too.
Asha says
Thanks Rita! 🙂
John says
Very tasty cocktail!
Asha says
Thank you! 🙂
Denise says
Nice drink.
Asha says
Thanks 🙂
Annie says
I loved this drink.
Asha says
Thank you! Glad to hear 🙂
Phoebe says
Love this drink. Cannot wait to share with friends.
Asha says
Thanks!
Flo says
Made this drink a couple of weeks ago. I liked it a lot. I am making it again tonight to share with a friend. Can't wait.
Asha says
That's great. Thanks for the review 🙂
Daphne says
Great drink. Thanks!!
Asha says
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Belinda says
Delicious
Asha says
Thanks 🙂
Melissa says
I really enjoyed this drink.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Missy says
So pretty. I need some practice on the hearts. Wasn't bad for first attempt y. Otherwise loved this drink.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂 I find that it's easier to get the drops right using a dropper, rather than straight from the bitter's bottle.
Poppy says
Hi Asha,
Can I just check - the apple cider you're using - do you mean as in store bought sparkling apple cider, or is there another type of apple cider you're using?
Thank you!
Poppy says
Sorry just to confirm what I mean - do you mean like a Somersby apple cider for example?
Asha says
Hello! 🙂 The apple cider to use in this cocktail is the non-carbonated, non-alcoholic type that is opaque and usually sold in large jugs. Grocery stores usually carry it through autumn and winter. Here is an example I found on Amazon: https://amzn.to/37mvMna . I hope that helps!
Poppy says
Thank you so much, thats helps a lot. I'm in Aus and we don't have this type of 'apple cider' here, but will be able to come up with an alternative now I know which one we're referring to! Thanks 🙂
Asha says
Happy to help! All the best
Marie-Pierre Breton says
This sounds like the perfect drink for Apple season! Surprising the cider vinegar in there, quite intrigued. Always in for a foamy drink!
Asha says
Thank you 🙂 It's actually apple cider, not cider vinegar. But who knows.. that might be tasty too haha
Bernice says
This is a great fall cocktail! Love the flavours of whisky and apple together plus a little punch from the lemon. We'll be serving these at our friendsgiving meal this year.
Asha says
Thank you! I will be serving these as well. Enjoy ~
Vanessa says
Such a great cocktail for fall! Can't wait to make one after I head to the apple orchard.
Asha says
Thanks!
nancy says
this is perfect to unwind after a long week. It's tasty and i love a good classic
Asha says
Thank you ~