Scotch Sour is a classic mix of blended Scotch whisky, lemon juice, simple syrup and Angostura bitters. If this mixture of ingredients sounds familiar, that’s because a Scotch sour is essentially a whiskey sour that uses Scotch whiskey as the base spirit instead of bourbon or rye. Compared to American whisky, blended Scotch is primarily made from malted barley and has a unique flavor that completely changes the character of this cocktail.
For decades, Scotch was considered too serious to shake. The boom in craft cocktail culture has softened that attitude, and bartenders have begun to reimagine Scotch sours as a way to celebrate the unique character of whiskey when mixed into cocktails. Today, Scotch Sours are approachable yet elegant, with timeless acidity and aroma.
Why Scotch Sour Works
Scotch sours are one of the most popular and long-lasting cocktails, a type of sour. A sour cocktail is a shaken drink defined by the use of a base spirit, a sour citrus juice such as lemon or lime, and a sugar-based sweetener (most often a simple syrup). The most popular examples of sours are daiquiris and bourbon or rye-based whiskey sours, but any base spirit can be made.
The three ingredients work together to create a balanced cocktail. In this case, the complex aromas of barley malt and peat smoke in the Scotch are softened and rounded out by the simple syrup. Adding lemon juice creates a sour taste that offsets the sweetness of the syrup.
Plus, a few dashes of Angostura bitters and a twist of orange bring pops of citrus and deep baking spice, both of which complement the Scotch and add even more depth to the cocktail.
Although not used in this recipe, egg whites are sometimes shaken with sour to make the drink more frothy and thick, and to give it some texture.
2025-10-30 17:00:00
