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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail Recipe with Egg White

    Modified: May 6, 2025 · Published: Apr 10, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Skip to Recipe Watch the Video
    Ginger Bourbon Sour.

    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. 

    Two glasses of ginger bourbon sour cocktail on wooden trays with lemons.
    Jump to:
    • What's in a Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail?
    • How to Make a Ginger Bourbon Sour
    • Making Ginger Simple Syrup
    • Recipe Tips
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • Try These Bourbon Cocktails
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail Recipe

    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?

    Ginger Bourbon Sour Ingredients.
    • 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

    A hand pouring bourbon from a jigger into a glass cocktail shaker.

    Combine bourbon, lemon juice, ginger syrup, ginger liqueur and egg white in an empty cocktail shaker.

    A ball whisk dropping into a glass 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.

    A metal scoop pouring ice cubes into a cocktail shaker.

    Add ice and shake for an additional 15 seconds. (Shake for 30 seconds if not using a ball whisk.)

    Cocktail being strained from a cocktail shaker, through a fine mesh strainer and into a coupe glass beneath.

    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.

    Ginger Simple Syrup

    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.
    A glass of ginger bourbon sour cocktail on wooden trays with lemons.

    FAQs and Substitutions

    What's a ball whisk?

    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. 

    Can I make this drink without a ball whisk?

    Absolutely! If you don’t have a ball whisk, shake the cocktail without ice (a.k.a. dry shaking) for 30 seconds.

    My shaker feels like it's going to explode!

    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.

    Can I leave out the egg white?

    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.

    Can I substitute bottle lemon juice for fresh juice?

    No. There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe. Fresh lemon juice is important in cocktails.

    What bourbon or whiskey should I use?

    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.

    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail
    Coffee Old Fashioned
    Coffee Old Fashioned

    Print the Recipe Card

    A glass of ginger bourbon sour cocktail on wooden trays with lemons.

    Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Ginger pairs deliciously with all kinds of bourbon whiskey. This Ginger Bourbon Sour cocktail recipe plays up that perfect pairing alongside a creamy egg white, which gives the cocktail a silky texture for a decadent sip. 
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Ball Whisk
    • Coupe Glasses
    • Jigger

    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! 

    Video

    Notes

    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, if you are using a three-piece cocktail shaker, pressure will build up inside the shaker. If this happens, pause and let the pressure out of the shaker, then resume shaking. If you're using a 2 piece Boston shaker, you likely won't have this issue.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 67mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    106 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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