You know that feeling? When something tastes just right?One little sip of this Bourbon Sour leads to another. Your taste buds try to pinpoint exactly what's at play in the delectable concoction... Citrus, for sure. But what kind? Orange? Lemon? What's that hint of sweetness mingling with the bourbon? Maple syrup? You take another sip. Wonder about these things. Smile. And sip some more.
When our friends Dave and Roxy came over for dinner last fall, they brought cocktail fixins and when I saw the ingredients going into Dave's mix, I knew the drink was going to be good - but I didn't know it would be this good! Dave was kind enough to share the recipe and so was his original source, James Schaaf - thank you Dave and James.
We've now made this cocktail many many times for friends. Those who've tasted it always ask us to whip up another batch the next time we get together. With Labor Day just around the corner, you know what to do to make your friends happy.... a backyard BBQ with Bourbon Sours sounds good, doesn't it?
INGREDIENTS (per drink)
printable recipe
- fresh juice of one lemon, pulp and seeds strained (Meyer's are fantastic, if you can get them)
- 4-5 dashes orange bitters
- 1-1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey of your liking
Place fresh ice into a glass (or glasses) and pour the chilled, mixed cocktail over the ice. Discard the ice used for shaking.
Sip right away.
A delightful beverage!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Rosa, we all need some good cocktail recipes in our repertoire, right?
Deletexoxo
E
I love your photos and your drink!!
ReplyDeleteRosalie
Thanks Rosalie!
DeleteErin, what kind of bourbon do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jane
Hey Jane, we've been using Bulleitt and Breaking B & E from St. George. Yum!
Deletexo
E
Oh wow! I first heard of a drink similar to this from Deb at Smitten Kitchen -- she calls it Vermontucky Lemonade, and we're just nuts for it :) Her version uses club soda, however, and no bitters -- I love the addition of bitters! Can't wait to try this, as Vermontucky Lemonade is already much-requested by friends at cookouts :) We really like Buffalo Trace for this cocktail, though Old Overholt does well at a lower price point.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful inspiration -- I will make one for my husband and myself tonight! -- and for making it look impossibly beautiful!
Ooh, Deb's Vermontucky Lemonade sounds delish! How can you go wrong with lemon juice, bourbon and a little sweetness?
DeleteI hope you like the Bourbon Sour... do let me know how it treats you:)
xo
E
Oh, oh, I love this. I love bourbon and this sounds just right. Can't wait to make it!
ReplyDeleteDulcie... so fun to see your cocktail on Twitter. Huge smile here!
Deletexoxo
E
I can see that being wayyyyyy too addictive. LOL Especially on a summer evening. Mmm, I better stock up on my bourbon.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, yes it is a dangerous drink. Goes down easy;) xoxo E
DeleteHello Erin!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! And you are right on time...
Thanks for sharing.
Eva
My pleasure Eva! This recipe needed to be shared:) xo
DeleteNow this is a perfect Labor Day cocktail! Is that St. George Bourbon from Alameda and the same folks that make hangar one vodka? If so, I need to jump over there soon. Lovely photos! Hope you and your family enjoy the long holiday weekend. The weather should be great around here.
ReplyDeleteLisa, yes... it is the bourbon from St. George on Alameda. I've yet to go visit their distillery, but I LOVE their stuff.
DeleteI hope you have a great holiday weekend as well. Finally some sunshine!!
xoxo
E
I have been to Hangar One in the past - it is a cool place! I adore the Kaffir Lime Vodka! Cheers!!
DeleteOh, I've never tried the Kaffir Lime. Thanks for the tip, Lisa! xo
DeleteI love drinks that have a perfect blend of sweetness and sharpness. This sounds like my kind of drink and the pictures are just wonderful, as ever xo
ReplyDeleteKathryn, me too. Lately I've been tasty too many drinks that err on the super sweet side. I like the tang of citrus to balance the whole thing out. This one seems to hit all the marks!
Deletexoxo
E
Oh my goodness! This was a dangerous post to read while working from home today. I have everything to make this drink in my cupboard right now. Must..resist.
ReplyDeleteWe have a long weekend coming up, I'll save it until then. Love the last shot in this post! The cocktails look so crisp and clear, and the tray and spoons look like a painting. Lovely
Stephanie, sounds dangerous;)
DeleteI hope you can enjoy one of these this weekend. I'd love to know what you think.
xoxo
E
This sounds like the perfect cocktail for easing into fall. The touch of maple syrup is perfect - I had a maple-based Manhattan the other day, and just loved the way the maple and whiskey play off each other, so I'm quite intrigued to see how that pairing would work with a little citrus added to the mix.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle, I'm with you. I'm so enjoying maple syrup in all sorts of things. That slightly caramel-y flavor is so good with whiskey and citrus...Yum!
Deletexo
E
I know that feeling! Yum :-)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThat sounds perfect right now and I do have some bourbon ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as always! xx
Thanks Najwa:) Ohhh the Sours are so good. Enjoy!
DeleteLabor Day will never be the same....thanks for the recipe. Good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteOli, happy Labor Day to you and your family. I hope you are all well! xoxo E
DeleteTHIS is my kind of drink, Erin. I love bourbon loaded with lemon, and I will be trying it with maple syrup next. In fact, I'm facing a bottle of Bulleit right now. Hmmm. :)
ReplyDeleteThe holiday weekend is a good excuse to whip up something tasty with that Bulleit, right;)?
DeleteHope you're well, Kathryne! Always nice to hear from you.
Oh Erin, I love your photographs so much. And that color of the drink is so appealing.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try it. Got to get some bourbon! :)
Magda, thank you so much! I hope you like the drink:)
Deletexoxo
E
Beautiful photographs and the drink sounds delicious! I love the combination of whiskey and maple syrup...
ReplyDeleteAmiee, so true... whiskey and maple syrup are good buddies!
DeleteNow this sounds and looks like a great drink. Can't wait to try it myself. This summer, I was all about Hugo (a mixture of elderflower cordial, mint, lime and prosecco), but I think these bourbon sours would be the perfect drink for the upcoming Fall. Thanks Erin! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHey there Denise! I haven't had a Hugo, but it sounds so good. I'm crazy for anything elderflower.
Deletexoxo
E
There's nothing like a perfect cocktail, and the bourbon sours are definitely calling to me. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHey Jess, they are dangerously good. I warn you;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
E
Gosh that looks good and it has a nice autumnal hue as well, very fitting to the time of year. I will try this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for you note Anna. This cocktail is really nice in fall and winter too. I just couldn't wait that long to share;)
Deletexo
E
Great for evening, perfect for sleep!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteSuch a great idea - citrus and whiskey. I've done everything else... vodka, rum, wine, tequila. But whiskey, no. Love it! And I can't get over how pretty the glistening ice cubes are. So glad I have a lemon tree. Doing this recipe soon! Hope all is well, friend. :)
ReplyDeletexox,
Christina
Hey there Christina, I'm not much of a whiskey girl, but this drink can make a convert out of anyone.
DeleteAll well here... hope so for you too!
xoxo
E
I love a good sour cocktail--and bourbon! The maple syrup sounds like a lovely flavor here.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, always nice to hear from you. Citrus, maple syrup and a little whiskey... I guess we can't go too wrong.
Deletexoxo
E
Hi Erin, I took the ingredients for the bourbon sours to a friend's last night and made them up for 6 of us and they were delish! The colour was a little darker than yours, perhaps the orange bitters I bought were a darker hue than yours. I'd never drunk whiskey before. I also made the Ottolenghi saffron chicken which you posted a little while ago and it was wonderful too. Looking forward to your book. Cheers, Meredith PS I'm now gluten free, actually grain free, so really enjoying your recipes!
ReplyDeleteMeredith, what a treat to hear from you!!! So fun to think of you eating the Ottolenghi saffron chicken and drinking bourbon sours. It makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you and your family. Big hugs to all,
xxoo
E
Before two minutes ago, we didn't have any plans for the weekend. But I think now they're going to comprise of having a bourbon sour or two! Aww shoot, an excuse to buy a fresh bottle of Bulleit. Love the ingredients in this, I am sure it's going to taste waaaaaaaaaaay better than that pre-packaged sour mix stuff:)
ReplyDeleteOh Emma, these are so tasty. I hope you enjoy! Have a great weekend.xo
Delete