This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.
Skip to Recipe Watch the Video
Ginger pairs deliciously with all kinds of bourbon and whiskey. This Ginger Bourbon Sour plays up that perfect pairing alongside a creamy egg white, which gives the cocktail a silky texture for a decadent sip.
Jump to:
I love a twist on a classic cocktail and you don't get a more classic drink than a whiskey sour cocktail.
I have always found egg white in drink recipes to be intimidating - something I’d order at a fancy cocktail bar, but not something I make at home. Then I tried a couple recipes that included egg whites and discovered that not only are they NOT a big deal, but they’re actually pretty fun to make. I definitely feel like a pro bartender every time I make one.
Adding egg white to a cocktail gives it a silky, creamy texture. If you don't like the idea of consuming raw egg whites in your cocktail or would like this drink to be vegan, substitute 1 tablespoon of aquafaba (canned chickpea liquid) for the egg white in this recipe or use a few dashes of cocktail foamer.
This bourbon sour cocktail is great to serve during the holiday season, since it feels fancy enough for special events. Make this festive cocktail for the whiskey lovers and bourbon lovers at your next holiday party.
What's in a Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail?
- Bourbon or whiskey - Choose your favorite bourbon for this recipe. You can use a flavored one here too. Honey, blackberry, or apple flavors would all be delicious in this drink.
- Ginger simple syrup - This easy-to-make, 3 ingredient syrup packs a big punch of flavor. Get my recipe and instructions over on my ginger syrup recipe page.
- Lemon - Fresh lemon will give you the best flavor and is a better choice over bottled lemon juice.
- Ginger liqueur - Adds sweet ginger flavor to your drink. If you can't find ginger liqueur, replace it with more ginger simple syrup.
- Egg white - This is optional, but I love what it adds to the drink. If you don't consumer raw egg, you can leave it out or swap the egg white for Aquafabba or bottled cocktail foamer.
How to Make a Ginger Bourbon Sour
Combine bourbon, lemon juice, ginger syrup, ginger liqueur and egg white in an empty cocktail shaker.
Add a ball whisk and dry shake - without ice - for 15 seconds. (If you don't have a ball whisk, dry shake your cocktail for 30 seconds.)
Note: When you shake up an egg white cocktail in a three piece cocktail shaker, pressure will build up inside the shaker. Don't fight this! Don't try to muscle through it or your shaker will explode cocktail all over your kitchen. (Trust me on this!!)
When you feel the pressure building up, pause, pop off the top of the shaker to release the pressure, then put the top back on and resume shaking. Stopping shaking will in no way impact the texture of your drink and will save you a lot of clean up.
Add ice and shake for an additional 15 seconds. (Shake for 30 seconds if not using a ball whisk.)
Double strain into a coupe glass and enjoy!
Making Ginger Simple Syrup
Ginger syrup is quick and easy to make using only 3 ingredients! Pick up some fresh ginger at the grocery store and follow the directions in my ginger simple syrup recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Since this cocktail is served without ice, skip the rocks glass and serve this one in a coupe glass (or even a martini glass if that's what you have).
- Garnish this Ginger Bourbon Sour with a twist of lemon peel or place a few small drops of angostura bitters in the foam on the top of the drink, then carefully run a toothpick through the drops to form designs.
FAQs and Substitutions
A ball whisk is that metal ball that came in your protein shake blender bottle. You probably have one lying around in a drawer somewhere. It’s not necessary, but will make getting a creamy and dense foam on the top of your cocktail much easier.
Absolutely! If you don’t have a ball whisk, shake the cocktail without ice (a.k.a. dry shaking) for 30 seconds.
When dry shaking your cocktail in a three piece cocktail shaker, pressure will build up. If you feel this happening, pause and let the pressure out of the shaker, re-cover, then resume shaking. Do NOT just keep going or your shaker will come open and explode your cocktail all over. (Trust me on this!!) If you're using a Boston shaker, this shouldn't be an issue.
Absolutely, though the egg white in this cocktail is what gives it a creamy texture. If consuming uncooked egg white bothers you, substitute 1 tablespoon aquafaba (canned chickpea liquid) for the egg white in the cocktail or use a few dashes of cocktail foamer.
No. There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe. Fresh lemon juice is important in cocktails.
Use your favorite bourbon or whiskey in this recipe, just make sure it's not flavored - skip the honey, cinnamon, etc. I like Bulleit bourbon or Buffalo Trace bourbon in this drink.
Try These Bourbon Cocktails
Bourbon is delicious as a main spirit in drinks or as an accompaniment to other bold flavors. Try it with ginger in my Bourbon Ginger Cocktail, with coffee in this Coffee Old Fashioned, or with ginger beer in a Kentucky Mule.
Print the Recipe Card
Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
- 1 oz ginger simple syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz ginger liqueur
- 1 egg white or 1 teaspoon aquafaba
Instructions
- Place bourbon, ginger syrup, lemon juice, ginger liqueur, and the egg white into an empty cocktail shaker.
- Add a ball whisk, cover and shake for 15 seconds.
- Remove cover, add ice cubes, replace cover, and shake for an additional 15 seconds.
- Double strain into a coupe glass.
- Enjoy!
Leave a Reply