Frisco Sour
Ingredients
- Blended Whiskey 2 oz
- Benedictine 1/2 oz
- Lemon Juice of 1/4
- Lime Juice of 1/2
- Lemon 1 slice
- Lime 1 slice
Instructions
Shake all ingredients (except slices of lemon and lime) with ice and strain into a whiskey sour glass. Decorate with the slices of lemon and lime and serve.
The Frisco Sour is a whiskey sour variation that adds Bénédictine herbal liqueur to blended whiskey, lemon juice, and lime juice, creating a more complex sour with a distinctive herbal character. The Bénédictine contributes its 27-herb-and-spice profile to the classic sour formula, adding depth beyond a standard whiskey sour. It is shaken and served in a sour glass with citrus garnish.
History & Origins
The Frisco Sour's name suggests a San Francisco origin, though its precise history is unverified and its authorship is disputed. It appears in mid-20th century American bartending guides as a notable regional variation of the whiskey sour. The addition of Bénédictine, a French Benedictine monk-originated liqueur dating to 1863, gives the drink a European herbal complexity.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: blended whiskey grain and wood with Bénédictine's complex herbal and honey aroma and a bright lemon-lime citrus. Palate: tart and sour up front from the dual citrus with the Bénédictine's honey and herb sweetness emerging in the mid-palate and the whiskey providing warmth. Finish: dry, herbal, and citrusy with a lingering botanical sweetness.
Pro Tip
Use both lemon and lime as specified rather than substituting one for the other — the combination of the two citruses creates a more complex, layered acidity than either alone.
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