Learning how to pull off a Whiskey Sour recipe with egg white should be a rite of passage for every newbie cocktail maker. This sweet, slightly tart drink is an absolute classic with its retro foam topping, and a real game-changer in terms of mouthfeel and texture. Ready to give it a go? Here’s our simplified Whiskey Sour recipe for beginners.
Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe with Egg White (Step by Step)
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker (without ice) and shake for 15 seconds
02
Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake for another 30 seconds
03
Strain the drink into a glass on fresh ice (optional); the foam will collect at the top
04
Garnish with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry, and serve
Why do you add egg white to cocktails?
Egg white contains proteins that emulsify when it’s shaken up. This traps little pockets of air, which gives a drink like the Whisky Sour a very silky meringue-like texture that adds some lovely body to a cocktail without changing the taste thereof. In sour drinks, it balances the mouthfeel with added texture, plus the creamy head looks very fancy!
Learn more: Your Guide to Making Egg White Cocktails the Easy Way
How to handle raw eggs safely
When using egg whites in cocktails, it’s very important to keep your workstation and utensils hygienic and clean. Start by washing your hands with warm, soapy water and drying them properly. Then do the same with your equipment, and also take care to wipe down your work surface with a warm, soapy cloth before drying it well.
Repeat the process after you’ve made your classic Whiskey Sour cocktail with egg white to leave things nice and hygienic.
How to make it vegan
Keen to try the Whiskey Sour but not too sure about the egg whites? No problem – there is a vegan version you can try! First things first, you’re going to need a tin of chickpeas. The liquid it comes in has been infused with the proteins from the chickpeas and goes frothy when whipped – just like egg whites.
It’s called aquafaba (‘bean water’), and you can use between 1.5 and 2 ounces of this liquid in the place of a single egg white. Just chill it well beforehand.
More tips for vegan drinks: Your Guide to Making Creamy Vegan Cocktails
When to serve a Whiskey Sour with egg whites
This easy Whiskey Sour recipe with egg white is super versatile. However, if we have to pinpoint a few occasions on which it is likely to steal the show, we’d recommend serving it as:
After-dinner cocktails
The delightfully creamy texture of this drink makes it an excellent choice as an after-dinner cocktail, especially if you weren’t planning on serving something sweet. Instead, you can invite your guests to relax in the lounge while you whip up a few drinks. Quite debonair!
More drinks like this: Best After Dinner Drinks to Delight Your Guests
Fall cocktails
With its compelling notes of caramel and vanilla, slight lemony sourness, and perfectly sweet finish, the classic Whiskey Sour recipe with egg white is one of our favorite fall cocktails. It provides a lovely counterpoint to the heavier dishes we tend to serve in cooler seasons but still has the warm and inviting flavor profile we crave when the leaves start to turn.
Sound good? Snuggle Up with These 10 Irresistible Fall Cocktails
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Store-bought liquid egg whites tend to be pasteurized, which you can absolutely use. However, it does tend to lose some volume. In short, you may just need to use a bit more liquid egg whites to create the volume you need.
Although adding egg white to cocktails may seem strange at first, you will see how it can tone down the sharpness of a cocktail like a Whiskey Sour or a Gin Fizz. It softens the acidity of the drink, giving it a rather luxurious texture and mouthfeel without altering the flavor.
If you do not have an allergy to egg whites, raw egg white is completely safe to use in a cocktail. We recommend using organic eggs from a sustainable source, and to ensure that the egg is nice and fresh.
