Built on the classic sour template of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, the Scotch Sour swaps the usual whiskey for Scotch, shaking it with lime juice and powdered sugar over ice. The result balances Scotch's malty, lightly smoky character against bright lime acidity, served in a whiskey sour glass and garnished with a half-slice of lemon and a cherry. At about 12 percent ABV it is moderate in strength and direct in flavor, a citrus-forward drink with a darker, more savory base than its Bourbon-based cousin. For Scotch drinkers it offers a familiar sour framework adapted to their preferred spirit.
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Scotch Sour
Ingredientes
- Scotch 1 1/2 oz
- Lime Juice of 1/2
- Powdered sugar 1/2 tsp
- Lemon 1/2 slice
- Cherry 1
Instrucciones
Shake scotch, juice of lime, and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a whiskey sour glass. Decorate with 1/2 slice lemon, top with the cherry, and serve.
El Scotch Sour es un cóctel clásico donde el sabor ahumado del whisky escocés y la acidez del zumo de limón crean una perfecta armonía. Con la suave espuma de clara de huevo, se puede disfrutar de un sabor complejo y equilibrado.
History & Origins
Sour cocktails date to at least Jerry Thomas's 1862 bartending guide, which documented whiskey sours as a defined category. The application of the sour formula to Scotch whisky likely developed in both Scottish and American bar culture as bartenders adapted established recipes to local spirits. The Scotch Sour's origin is disputed, but it appears consistently in mid-20th century cocktail reference books.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Scotch malt and smoke with a fresh lime citrus note and a faint sweetness from the powdered sugar. Palate: Tart and citrus-forward from the lime juice, with Scotch's distinctive malt and light peat providing a complex base; powdered sugar softens the acidity. Finish: Dry and slightly smoky with lingering lime zest and Scotch warmth.
Pro Tip
Use a blended Scotch for a milder, more accessible Scotch Sour, or a lightly peated single malt for a more complex, smoky character.
Técnicas utilizadas
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in a Scotch Sour?
A Scotch Sour is made with Scotch whisky, fresh lime juice, and powdered sugar, shaken and strained into a whiskey sour glass, garnished with a lemon slice and cherry. The sour template of spirit, citrus, and sweetener is applied to Scotch, where the whisky's malt and smoke character interacts with the bright citrus.
What style of Scotch whisky works best in a Scotch Sour?
A blended Scotch or a lightly peated single malt works well in a Scotch Sour, providing enough character to come through the citrus without overpowering it. Heavily peated Islay malts can be used for a smokier, more intense result, though blends offer a more balanced and versatile base.
How does a Scotch Sour compare to a Whiskey Sour?
The Scotch Sour follows the same structural formula as the classic Whiskey Sour but trades bourbon's corn sweetness and vanilla notes for Scotch's malt, dried-fruit, and sometimes smoky character. The lime juice used in Scotch Sours is slightly sharper than the lemon more commonly used in bourbon Whiskey Sours.
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