Tennessee Whiskey Trail recipes: whiskey sour cocktail

Introducing a Tennessee twist on a classic whiskey cocktail. It's a little sweet, and a little sour, just like a good southern girl should be. Say hello to your new favorite Friday night cocktail!

Photo by Johann Trasch on Unsplash

Typically, whiskey and bourbon are better served after a meal as a digestif, but when mixed in a cocktail they can also be a nice before dinner drink, or even a Sunday afternoon cocktail. Basically, you can drink whiskey whenever you want!

This recipe is inspired by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and the classic whiskey sour cocktail. The whiskey sour family of drinks is whiskey or bourbon based, with citrus flavors and a cherry garnish. I sometimes like to add an extra kick to it by using brandy soaked cocktail cherries as a garnish, but lime slices are yummy too. I also like to add a few dashes of bitters to help offset the tartness. Traditional sour cocktails are sometimes made with an egg white to create a foam on top, but we're not usually that fancy in the south. Just give us some whiskey and a few simple mixers, and we're happy campers!

I try not to choose favorites when it comes to Tennessee Whiskey, it's kind of like choosing your favorite child. But let's be honest, we always have a favorite. I like to make my whiskey sour with George Dickel's Barrel Select, distilled proudly at the Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. in Tullahoma, Tennessee. The smooth and silky taste is just mellow enough to balance perfectly with the flavors in a whiskey sour cocktail. How do they describe the Barrel Select down in Cascade Hollow?

One of our finest whiskies, for the truly discerning whisky drinker. Aged at least 9 years, and hand-selected by our distiller for their exceptional balance and delicacy. Charcoal mellowing and our unique aging process form a smooth, premium whisky that stands in a class all by itself."

Let's get to the recipe for the Tennessee Whiskey Sour Cocktail!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tennessee Whiskey such as George Dickel Barrel Select
• 2 oz Homemade Sour Mix
• 2 - 3 Dashes Barrel Aged Bitters
• Brandy Soaked Cocktail Cherries or lime slice for garnish

* How to make homemade sour mix: combine 4 parts fresh lemon juice, 3 parts fresh lime juice, and 2 parts simple syrup. If you don't want to make a whole batch, here's what to add for this recipe: 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, and 1/4 - 1/2 ounce simple syrup, depending on how sweet you like your cocktails.

Directions:

1. Add whiskey, sour mix, and a few dashed of bitters to a cocktail shaker and shake it a few times.
2. Pour the drink over 2 - 3 medium sized ice cubes.
3. Garnish with cocktail cherries or a lime wedge

Serve in:

Short tumbler glass

Read next:

Bourbon Iced Tea recipe: the perfect summer cocktail

How to master the Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Chasing the Tennessee Whiskey Trail in Memphis

How to spend a weekend whiskey tasting in Nashville

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