Scotch Sour
The Scotch Sour is a strong whiskey sour, tart and sweet on the palate. Shaken and served in a sour glass.
- 3 min
- Sour glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 66 out of 100
- Sweet
- 56 out of 100
- Fruity
- 19 out of 100
- Smoky
- 48 out of 100
- Boozy
- 77 out of 100
How to make a Scotch Sour
To make a Scotch Sour, shake with ice and strain into a sour glass: 1½ oz scotch, ½ oz lime and ¼ oz simple syrup. Garnish with lemon and cherry.
You'll need
- Scotch1½ oz
- Lime½ oz
- Simple syrupor ½ tsp sugar + a splash of water¼ oz
- Lemon, Cherrygarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
Chill a sour glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add Scotch, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled sour glass.
- 6
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry.
Why shake? Lime juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
No simple syrup? Muddle ½ tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.
Scotch Sour questions
What does a Scotch Sour taste like?
Mostly tart and sweet, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 23% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Scotch Sour?
About 23% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Scotch Sour and a Frisco Sour?
Both use scotch and lime. The Scotch Sour adds simple syrup, while the Frisco Sour uses Benedictine and lemon.
Should a Scotch Sour be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: lime and simple syrup need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Can I make Scotch Sours in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 9 oz scotch, 3 oz lime and ¾ oz simple syrup in a jug and chill it. Add 2½ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a Scotch Sour in?
A sour glass.