A pre-mixed whiskey sour is a cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes egg white or other ingredients, that comes pre-made in a bottle or can so you can enjoy it without having to mix it yourself. Pre-mixed whiskey sours provide a convenient way to enjoy the classic flavor of a whiskey sour without the effort of measuring and mixing the ingredients. They have become increasingly popular in recent years among both whiskey enthusiasts and casual cocktail drinkers.
What is a whiskey sour?
A whiskey sour is a classic cocktail that typically contains whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes egg white or other ingredients. It strikes a perfect balance between spirituous, sour, and sweet. The primary ingredients are:
Whiskey – Bourbon is most traditional, but other styles like rye, Irish, or Scotch work as well. The whiskey provides the backbone of flavor.
Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides essential tart, sour notes that balance out the sweetness. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
Sugar – Simple syrup, sugar cubes, or granulated sugar sweeten the sour lemon. The sugar rounds out and softens the acidity.
Egg white – Optional, but an egg white adds frothy texture and a creamy mouthfeel.
The cocktail likely originated in the late 1800s during the early heyday of mixed drinks. It became popular in sophisticated urban bars as a refined, shaken drink. The whiskey sour fell out of favor in the late 1900s but has enjoyed a revival along with renewed interest in classic cocktails.
What are the benefits of a pre-mixed whiskey sour?
Pre-mixed whiskey sours offer several advantages:
Convenience – No measuring, mixing, or prep needed. Just open, pour, and enjoy.
Consistency – Uniform flavor and quality in every bottle. The ingredients are pre-measured and blended in precise ratios.
Shelf stability – Many bottled whiskey sours keep without refrigeration for 6 months or longer until opened.
Variety – Companies are creating pre-mixed sours in diverse styles, flavors, and whiskey types to suit any taste.
Portability – Easy to take on the go camping, to parties, tailgates, or wherever you want to enjoy one.
Cost effective – Can be cheaper per serving than buying ingredients to make at home, especially for occasional cocktail drinkers.
For these reasons, pre-mixed whiskey sours are gaining popularity as a convenient new way to enjoy a timeless classic.
Are pre-mixed whiskey sours good?
The quality of pre-mixed whiskey sours can vary widely by brand. However, when made well, they can achieve a flavor profile very close to a freshly shaken whiskey sour. Here are some factors that affect the taste:
Whiskey quality – Higher end brands tend to use smoother, more premium whiskeys that don’t get overpowered by other ingredients. This improves the depth of flavor.
Fresh citrus juice – Real lemon or lime juice is ideal. Artificial juice flavors taste unnatural and harsh. Fresh citrus provides that authentic sour bite.
Sweetener source – Cane sugar or simple syrup have a cleaner taste than artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.
Balance – The proportions of whiskey, citrus, and sweetener dramatically impact the overall balance. Too much lemon can be harshly sour or too much sweet overpowers the whiskey.
Mouthfeel – Egg white or cream provides a frothy, creamy texture. Glycerin or gum arabic can also improve mouthfeel.
No artificial additives – Preservatives, thickeners, and chemicals alter the fresh flavor. All-natural ingredients are best.
When care is taken to source quality liquors and real juices in well-balanced ratios, pre-mixed whiskey sours can taste quite good and be enjoyable for casual sipping or easy cocktails.
Popular whiskey sour premix brands
Here are some of the top pre-mixed whiskey sour brands on the market:
1. The Whiskey Sour Gentleman – An award winning, ready-to-drink whiskey sour made with bourbon, real juices, and cane sugar. They use egg whites for a frothy texture.
2. craftWRK Whiskey Sour – A shelf-stable canned cocktail with a smooth blend of bourbon, lemon, and orange juice with flavors of cherry, almond, and vanilla.
3. Cutwater Whiskey Sour – This San Diego distillery is known for premium canned cocktails. Their whiskey sour contains straight bourbon and fresh citrus juice.
4. BuzzBallz XX Whiskey Sour – A boozy frozen whiskey sour in a ball-shaped container for easy pouring. Made in Texas with bourbon and natural flavors.
5. Duke’s Whiskey Sour – Made in Tennessee with sour mash whiskey, lemon, and lime. No high fructose corn syrup or preservatives.
6. Prairie Wolf Distillery Whiskey Sour – Handcrafted in small batches in Kansas, made with wheated bourbon and natural citrus.
These represent some of the most widely distributed and praised pre-mixed whiskey sours that offer consistent flavor in an easy-to-drink cocktail.
How to make a homemade whiskey sour
While quality pre-made whiskey sours provide convenience, you can also easily mix up a whiskey sour from scratch:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Directions:
- Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until chilled and frothy if using egg white.
- Strain into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
The egg white adds a luscious froth and richness, but can be omitted for a simpler sour. For a taller drink, shake with ice and strain over fresh ice in a collins glass. Adjust the syrup and lemon to taste. Make it your own!
Whiskey sour variations
One fun aspect of whiskey sours is experimenting with creative twists:
Boston Sour – Top with 1-2 oz red wine float. The wine’s acidity pairs nicely.
New York Sour – Float 1/2 oz bourbon on top of the finished cocktail.
Midori Sour – Use melon liqueur instead of simple syrup.
Amaretto Sour – Sub amaretto for whiskey for an almond-cherry taste.
Scotch Sour – Swap in blended Scotch whisky.
Peach whiskey sour – Muddle fresh peach slices.
Whiskey chipotle sour – Add a barspoon of chipotle extract or puree.
Cherry whiskey sour – Muddle 5 cherries into the cocktail shaker.
Blackberry whiskey sour – Use blackberry syrup instead of simple syrup.
Let your creativity run wild! The whiskey sour is the perfect canvas for exploring new flavor combinations.
Can I freeze whiskey sours?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze whiskey sours for later. Freezing is a handy way to batch cocktails to have ready-made drinks whenever the craving strikes.
Here are some tips for freezing whiskey sours:
– Use plastic freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. Glass may crack.
– Leave 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
– Use a cocktail recipe without egg white or cream, as dairy products tend to curdle when frozen.
– Increase the citrus juice slightly – acids keep drinks tasting fresher when thawed.
– Add a bit more alcohol – freezing dilutes the strength of the alcohol.
– Use a straw when serving frozen whiskey sours to avoid chipping teeth on frozen drinks!
Properly frozen whiskey sours will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Give them a quick stir or shake to redistribute separated ingredients. The flavor may mellow slightly but frozen whiskey sours are a fantastic way to enjoy the cocktail anytime.
Where to buy pre-mixed whiskey sours
Pre-mixed whiskey sours are getting easier to find in stores, with the growing popularity of ready-to-drink cocktails. Here are some places to buy pre-made whiskey sours:
Liquor stores – Many liquor stores now stock pre-mixed cocktails, often near the refrigerated section or with the coolers/seltzers. Major brands like Cutwater and The Whiskey Sour Gentleman are common.
Grocery stores – Large supermarket chains may carry a limited selection of bottled cocktails, usually smaller format, shelf-stable brands.
Convenience/gas stations – 7-Eleven, Wawa, QuikTrip and other convenience stores usually stock a few RTD cocktail options next to beer coolers.
Big box retailers – Stores like Target, Walmart or Costco will have larger format, multi-pack bottles for the best value. Selection is often limited though.
Online retailers – Many liquor delivery sites like Drizly, Minibar or Saucey offer online ordering and delivery of single cans/bottles of pre-made cocktails.
Distillery tasting rooms – Craft distilleries that offer cocktails often sell pre-mixed bottled cocktails featuring their spirits to go.
Check your local listings to see who carries pre-mixed whiskey sours in your area. The category has expanded rapidly, making enjoying this classic cocktail in ready-to-drink form easier than ever.
Pre-mixed whiskey sour recipes
Interested in trying your hand at making your own pre-batched whiskey sours at home? Here are a few easy recipes to get you started:
Simple whiskey sour mix
Makes 16 servings.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz bourbon
- 12 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 8 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid. Shake or stir to fully blend. Keep refrigerated up to 4 weeks. To serve, pour 2 oz mix over ice and add 1 oz bourbon.
Fuzzy whiskey sour
Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz bourbon
- 8 oz lemon juice
- 8 oz peach puree
- 4 oz simple syrup
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients with 1 cup ice until smooth and frothy. Pour into freezer containers leaving headspace. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
Spicy whiskey sour
Makes 12 servings.
Ingredients:
- 18 oz bourbon
- 9 oz lemon juice
- 6 oz agave nectar
- 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 tsp angostura bitters
Instructions:
Whisk together all ingredients until blended. Store in an airtight container up to 1 month refrigerated. Shake with ice to serve. Garnish with lemon wedge.
Get creative and come up with your own house recipes. Making pre-mixed whiskey sours at home lets you control the flavor profile and quality of ingredients.
Conclusion
A pre-mixed whiskey sour provides a handy way to enjoy a time-tested cocktail without the fuss of mixing up all the ingredients from scratch. Thanks to the growing ready-to-drink market, quality pre-batched whiskey sours are readily available in stores or online for easy sipping wherever the mood strikes. With so many brands and flavors to choose from, you’re sure to find a pre-made whiskey sour that suits your tastes. Just chill, open and pour to instantly elevate any occasion. Whiskey sour lovers rejoice!