Whiskey sour is a popular whiskey based cocktail that typically contains whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and ice. It’s a refreshing drink with a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors. While whiskey sours are commonly served at bars and restaurants, many people wonder if you can buy premixed whiskey sours in a bottle to enjoy at home.
What is whiskey sour?
Whiskey sour is made by mixing whiskey with lemon juice, sugar syrup and ice. It belongs to the sour cocktail family, which consists of spirit based drinks that use citrus juice as a key ingredient.
The basic recipe for a whiskey sour is:
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
The ingredients are combined in a cocktail shaker with ice and shaken vigorously to chill and dilute the drink. It’s then strained into a chilled glass and garnished with a lemon slice.
Whiskey sours strike a perfect balance between the sweetness of the sugar syrup and the tart lemon juice, with the whiskey providing a smooth, spirited backbone. It’s a simple classic cocktail that’s stood the test of time.
Premixed whiskey sours
Given the popularity of whiskey sours, many distilleries and bottlers have created ready to drink, premixed versions available for purchase in bottles. This provides a convenient way to enjoy whiskey sours at home without having to mix up all the ingredients each time.
Premixed whiskey sours contain the same basic ingredients – whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and water. However they often differ from homemade sours in the following ways:
- Lower alcohol content – Most contain 15-25% alcohol by volume, compared to around 40% for a standard 2 oz whiskey pour.
- High fructose corn syrup is used in place of simple syrup.
- Added citric acid for more sour flavor.
- Artificial flavors and colors.
The reduced alcohol content makes them more sessionable for casual drinking. And the convenience factor makes these premixed whiskey sours an easy grab at the liquor store when you don’t want to fuss over mixing drinks.
Popular premixed whiskey sour brands
Here are some of the more popular premade whiskey sour bottles you can buy:
Jim Beam Kentucky Fire
Kentucky Fire is one of the best known premixed whiskey sours on the market. It’s made with Jim Beam bourbon along with fruit flavors and spices. It has a bright red color and a sweet, cinnamon-infused taste. The lower 20% ABV makes it lighter than regular Jim Beam.
Pinnacle Whipped
Pinnacle Whipped vodka has a flavored extension line with three whiskey sour options – Whipped Cream, Peach Whipped, and Cherry Whipped. They have a smooth, creamy texture and sweet fruit flavors. The ABV is 30 proof.
Skinnygirl Premade Cocktails
Part of the Skinnygirl low calorie brand, their premade cocktail line includes a whiskey sour flavor. It’s made with Canadian whiskey and has 100 calories per serving. The ABV is 15%.
UV Whipped
From Phillips Distilling Co. UV Whipped also comes in various flavored whiskey sour options like lemon, cherry, and pineapple coconut. The ABV ranges from 15-25% for the different flavors.
Seagram’s Escapes
Seagram’s whisky brand has a line of canned premade cocktails called Seagram’s Escapes, including a whiskey peach tea flavor with notes of citrus and sour peach. The ABV is 8%.
How to choose a bottled whiskey sour
Here are some tips for choosing a good ready to drink whiskey sour:
- Check the ingredients list and choose one with real whiskey as the first ingredient, not just “whisky flavoring”.
- Look for ones with natural sugars rather than high fructose corn syrup if possible.
- Pick a brand using citrus juices rather than artificial flavors.
- Read reviews online to help identify quality brands with good flavor.
- Consider the ABV and choose one with higher alcohol content if you want a bolder taste.
- Pay attention to added flavors like fruit or spices to find one you think you’ll enjoy.
- Check the nutrition label if calories are a concern.
- Consider single serve cans or bottles if you just want to try out a brand.
Buying in bulk or multi-packs can offer discounts compared to single bottles. But try out a few different brands in smaller sizes first to determine your favorites before buying a whole case.
Pros of buying premixed whiskey sours
Here are some of the benefits of buying premade whiskey sours in a bottle compared to mixing them yourself:
- Convenience – They’re ready to pour and drink with no prep required.
- Consistent results – You’ll get the same drink every time with the flavors proportioned as intended.
- No bartending skills needed – Anyone can easily serve up whiskey sours without mixology know-how.
- Long shelf life unopened – Properly stored they last from 6 months up to a few years.
- Portable – They’re lightweight and easy to toss in a cooler or bag to bring places.
- Variety – You can find lots of different flavors and brands to try.
The convenience factor is a major draw. Having premixed whiskey sours on hand saves time and effort while still letting you enjoy the taste of a whiskey sour whenever the craving strikes.
Cons of buying premixed whiskey sours
However, there are some downsides to consider with bottled whiskey sours compared to homemade:
- Higher cost – The premixed drinks tend to cost more per cocktail than making your own.
- Lower alcohol content – Many have a lower ABV, giving a lighter, more watered-down taste.
- Added sugars and preservatives – Most contain high fructose corn syrup and chemical preservatives.
- Artificial flavors – Can lack true lemon/citrus taste.
- Not as fresh – Premixed cocktails can’t match the fresh squeeze of lemon juice in homemade.
- Waste – Bottles create more packaging waste than homemade.
The biggest trade-off is convenience vs quality and freshness. Premixed versions sacrifice some authenticity for the sake of simplicity. Making them yourself allows more ability to use high quality, fresh ingredients.
How long does bottled whiskey sour last?
Unopened, premixed whiskey sours typically last from 6 months up to 2 years from the production date, if stored properly. Always check the best by date on the bottle which indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees optimal flavor.
Once opened, the clock starts ticking faster on whiskey sour bottles:
– Refrigerated after opening – Will last 2-3 months
– Kept at room temperature after opening – Lasts 1-2 months
So it’s best to refrigerate opened bottles to help maximize shelf life. Properly resealing the bottle after pouring helps prevent oxidation which degrades flavor.
Tips for serving bottled whiskey sours
Though ready to drink straight from the bottle, you can enhance bottled whiskey sours a few different ways:
- Pour over ice – The dilution from ice mellows the sweetness.
- Garnish with citrus slices or maraschino cherries – Brightens up the presentation.
- Use a crushed ice “mule mug” – Gives a frosty, chilled texture.
- Top with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda – Adds light effervescence.
- Drizzle with flavored syrups or liqueurs – Customizes with new flavor dimensions.
- Rim glass with sugar or salt – Contrasts sweet and salty flavors.
Feel free to experiment and come up with your own signature way of serving up bottled whiskey sours!
How to mix up your own whiskey sour
While bottled versions offer simplicity, there’s still a lot to be said for mixing up a whiskey sour from scratch yourself. Here’s a quick guide:
Ingredients
- 2 oz (1/4 cup) bourbon or rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz (1 1/2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz (1 tablespoon) simple syrup
- Lemon slice for garnish
- Cocktail shaker
- Ice cubes
Simple syrup
– Combine equal parts sugar and hot water and stir until dissolved.
– Let cool before using.
– Can be stored refrigerated up to 1 month.
Directions
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into chilled rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon slice.
- Enjoy!
Tips for the best homemade whiskey sour:
– Use fresh lemon juice for bright, acidic flavor. Bottled lemon juice lacks the right zing.
– Play around with ratios to get desired sweet/sour balance. Add more lemon juice or sugar syrup to taste.
– Shake hard to properly mix, chill, and dilute the cocktail.
– Add egg white for a frothy texture (use pasteurized eggs for safety).
– Consider other citrus like lime, grapefruit, or orange juice for variation.
– Customize with different bourbons/ryes or spice it up with a dash of Angostura bitters.
Conclusion
In summary, while you won’t get exactly the same drink, buying premade whiskey sours in bottles can be an easy, convenient way to enjoy this classic cocktail at home without the effort of mixing up all the ingredients each time. Just be aware of the trade-offs in terms of lower alcohol content, added sugars, and lack of fresh citrus flavor compared to homemade. But chilling a premixed bottle and simply pouring over ice can satisfy a quick whiskey sour craving. However, taking a few extra minutes to shake one up yourself using quality ingredients results in a fresher, more balanced drink customized to your taste. So the choice comes down to whether convenience or authenticity is more important for the occasion!