New York Sour Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
You’ll find the New York Sour is a whiskey sour with a dramatic red-wine float, turning a familiar template into something richer and more aromatic. It sits in the broader “sour” family—spirit, citrus, and sweetener—made silkier with egg white and finished with a contrasting layer of wine. While its exact origin story is debated and not pinned to a single inventor, it’s closely associated with American whiskey drinking and the long-running popularity of sours, with the wine topper giving it that unmistakable, modern showpiece look.
On the palate, bourbon brings warm, rounded depth that meets the bright snap of lemon juice. Sugar or simple syrup smooths the citrus edge, keeping the balance plush rather than sharp, while egg white adds a creamy, velvety texture that makes each sip feel fuller. The red wine sits on top at first, lending a fruity, tannic accent that mingles gradually with the bourbon-lemon base, shifting the drink from crisp and zesty to darker and more layered as you go.
Serve it when you want a crowd-pleasing sour that feels a touch more special—ideal for dinner parties, date nights, or anytime you’re pouring for someone who likes whiskey but appreciates a softer, silkier finish. It suits guests who enjoy a classic bourbon-and-lemon profile yet want extra complexity without straying into overly sweet territory.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Bourbon leads with warm grain and oak, sharpened by lemon juice and rounded by sugar/simple syrup, while egg white adds a silky, meringue-like cushion; the red wine float brings a dark, fruity, tannic top note that lingers over each sip. It works because the lemon’s bite and wine’s grip keep the sweetness and bourbon richness in check, ideal for sour lovers who want extra depth and a softer texture.
Method
How to make a New York Sour
- Bourbon 60ml, Red wine 15ml, Lemon juice 30ml, Sugar / simple syrup 22.5ml, Egg 1 egg white
-
- Add the egg white, bourbon, lemon juice and sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice
-
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
-
- Strain into a lowball glass and carefully pour the red wine on top so that it floats
-
- Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry and serve
Power tips
Elevate the New York Sour with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Choose a dry red wine such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for the float to balance the sweetness.
- Perform a dry shake (shake the ingredients without ice) first to emulsify the egg white, then add ice and shake again for a frothier texture.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the history behind the New York Sour?
The New York Sour is a classic cocktail with a history that dates back to the late 19th century. Originally known as the Continental Sour and then the Southern Whiskey Sour, it became popular in New York, where it was given its current name. The drink is a variation of the traditional Whiskey Sour, with the distinctive addition of red wine, which adds a fruity complexity and a beautiful layered appearance.
How does the egg white affect the New York Sour?
Egg white is used in the New York Sour to create a silky, smooth texture and a frothy top layer. When shaken vigorously, the egg white emulsifies, giving the cocktail a richer mouthfeel and an attractive appearance. It's important to ensure the egg white is properly integrated by using a technique called 'dry shaking' (shaking the ingredients without ice first) before adding ice and shaking again to chill the drink.
Can I make a New York Sour without alcohol?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of the New York Sour using non-alcoholic bourbon alternatives and a non-alcoholic red wine or grape juice to mimic the original flavors. The proportions of lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white would remain the same to maintain the balance between sweetness, sourness, and texture.
What kind of red wine should I use in a New York Sour?
A dry red wine with a light to medium body and good acidity is ideal for a New York Sour. Varieties like Syrah, Merlot, or a lighter Cabernet Sauvignon work well as they balance the bourbon without overwhelming the cocktail. The wine is floated on top of the drink after mixing, creating a distinct layer and adding a complex flavor profile.
How should I serve and garnish a New York Sour?
The New York Sour is traditionally served in a lowball glass over ice. For garnishing, a lemon twist or a cherry can be added for a classic look. Some choose to express (squeeze) an oil from a lemon peel over the drink to add an aromatic layer. The visual appeal of the wine float also serves as part of the garnish, making additional decorations minimal.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this deep fusion of bourbon and bitters.
Shade Thrower
Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Try this caffeinated twist on a classic cocktail
Coffee Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Aromatic bitters, Coffee, Maple syrup
Explore this rich blend of bourbon and bitters
Waldorf
Bourbon, Aniseed liqueur, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Experience this warm hazelnut and bourbon delight.
Hazelnut Hot Toddy
Bourbon, Frangelico, Sugar, Vanilla essence, Cinnamon, Cloves
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we'll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we'll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments