For the best Boston sour recipe, start by selecting the right style of whiskey for the drink. Typically, this cocktail is made using Bourbon, to bring smooth and slightly sweet notes to the cocktail. However, some recipes will feature rye whiskey for a spicier and drier twist on the flavors. Whichever whiskey you choose, it’s worth checking the alcohol content as this will vary from bottle to bottle.
Fresh lemon juice creates the optimal results for this drink. Bottled juice lacks the brightness needed to enhance the drink. It also helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar syrup and you can add more lemon juice as needed to adjust the sweetness to your palate.
Dry shaking is a key technique for making a Boston sour and involves shaking all of the ingredients without ice first to create the drink’s renowned thick, creamy foam. Aim for a vigorous shake to emulsify the egg whites, to create a smooth, velvety texture, not a watery foam. When using egg whites in cocktail recipes make sure to use fresh eggs, ideally pasteurized to avoid any food-borne illnesses.
To serve, a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass is traditional. Chilling the glass is an essential part of the process as the drink is usually served neat. Alongside the lemon zest garnish, some Boston sour recipes will also suggest a dash of bitters on top of the foam to add aroma and a simple swirl design using a toothpick.
Both a Boston sour and whiskey sour are perfect for pairing with special dishes for a dinner party at home with friends. You can find all the tips you need for matching cocktails with food in our helpful article exploring cocktail and food pairings.
Boston Sour vs. Whiskey Sour
A Boston sour cocktail is essentially a traditional whiskey sour with an egg white added to the whiskey, citrus, and sugar base to bring a smooth texture and white froth to the drink.
A whiskey sour is typically very light and crisp, whereas a Boston sour is known for being silky and smooth with a thick foam layer on top. The egg white softens the edges of the citrus and alcohol making a Boston sour considerably less sharp than its whiskey sour counterpart.
The techniques also differ. A whiskey sour is shaken with ice then strained into a chilled glass, whereas the Boston sour is shaken dry first, to create the froth on top of the drink. A whiskey sour is traditionally garnished with a cocktail cherry however a Boston sour is finished with a lemon zest.
Whiskey sours are one of the most popular cocktails around the world. If the Boston sour has piqued your interest in whiskey cocktails, take a look at our round-up of the top 25 whiskey drinks featuring a hot toddy and Irish coffee. Or try making a low-proof version of a whiskey sour known as a whimpy sour.
Intended for ages 21+. Please drink responsibly.
