Bénédictine distinguishes the Frisco Sour from the ordinary whiskey sour, the herbal liqueur added to a base of blended whiskey, lemon juice, and lime juice and shaken with ice. The liqueur's complex profile, built from a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, deepens the standard sour formula and lends the drink an aromatic, herbal undercurrent absent from its plainer relative. Strained into a sour glass and dressed with slices of lemon and lime, the cocktail reaches around 16 percent alcohol by volume. It belongs to the broad sour family while distinguishing itself through the monastic liqueur that defines its name.
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Frisco Sour
Ingredientes
- Blended Whiskey 2 oz
- Benedictine 1/2 oz
- Lemon Juice of 1/4
- Lime Juice of 1/2
- Lemon 1 slice
- Lime 1 slice
Instrucciones
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.
El Frisco Sour es una variación del whiskey sour que añade licor herbáceo Bénédictine al whiskey blended, zumo de limón y zumo de lima, creando un sour más complejo con un carácter herbáceo distintivo. El Bénédictine contribuye su perfil de 27 hierbas y especias a la fórmula clásica del sour, añadiendo profundidad más allá de un whiskey sour estándar. Se agita y sirve en copa de sour con guarnición cítrica.
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.
Técnicas utilizadas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Frisco Sour and what makes Bénédictine essential to it?
The Frisco Sour is a classic sour cocktail made with blended whiskey, Bénédictine herbal liqueur, and fresh lemon and lime juice. Bénédictine is a French herbal liqueur with a recipe of 27 plants and spices, contributing honeyed sweetness, herbal complexity, and a distinctive warming finish. Without Bénédictine, the drink becomes a simple Whiskey Sour; the liqueur is the defining ingredient.
Why is it called the Frisco Sour?
The Frisco Sour is named for the colloquial nickname for San Francisco, California. It was a popular cocktail in San Francisco bars during the mid-twentieth century, though its precise origin is not well documented. The 'Sour' designation refers to its structure of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, which is the foundational template for the entire sour cocktail family.
What type of whiskey works best in a Frisco Sour?
Blended American whiskey is the traditional base for a Frisco Sour, providing a balanced, mild grain spirit that lets Bénédictine's herbal flavors shine without overpowering them. Rye whiskey is an excellent alternative, adding spice and depth that pairs well with the honey and herb notes of Bénédictine. Bourbon can also be used for a sweeter, fuller-bodied version.
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