master-cooks | How To Layer A New York Sour Cocktail

To layer a New York Sour cocktail, begin by gathering the necessary ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and red wine. Start by preparing the base of the cocktail. In a shaker, combine two ounces of whiskey, one ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and half an ounce of simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the mixture is well-chilled. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice. The next step is to create the characteristic wine float. Carefully pour half an ounce of red wine over the back of a spoon held just above the cocktail’s surface. The spoon helps diffuse the wine, allowing it to gently float on top of the whiskey mixture without mixing. This technique creates a visually appealing, layered effect. The wine layer should be distinct, sitting atop the cocktail, adding a rich and fruity aroma to the drink. The New York Sour is now ready to serve, showcasing its beautiful contrast between the golden whiskey base and the deep red wine layer. Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors, with the tartness of the lemon and the sweetness of the wine perfectly complementing the robust whiskey.

The science behind the layers

Although layering may seem daunting, it's important to remember that you don't need to pour perfectly to achieve a clean result. As long as the layers are poured relatively smoothly, they will settle nicely.

Layered effects are created by utilizing the different weights of liquids. For instance, when you combine oil and water in a cup, the oil rises to the top due to its lower density compared to water. This same concept applies to layered cocktails, where the denser components are poured first, followed by the lighter ones. Factors like sugar content and alcohol levels influence the density of each ingredient. It may take some practice to master the balance of liquid densities, but rest assured that for cocktails like the New York Sour, the layering order is intentionally designed.

Common New York Sour mistakes

The most frequent error when preparing a New York Sour is simply pouring the wine over the whiskey sour base and hoping they will separate like oil and water. This won't happen. Unlike oil and water, wine and whiskey will blend together. While their differing densities may help keep them somewhat apart, they will still mix. Additionally, pouring too quickly will lead to a complete blend of the two.

It's also worth noting that while egg whites are not essential, adding them to your whiskey base can enhance its viscosity, making it easier to layer the red wine on top. The cocktail can still turn out well without them, but incorporating egg whites can be a beneficial step, especially for beginners.

What you will need

To prepare a New York Sour, you'll need a few ingredients and tools—some of which you might already have at home. For the cocktail, gather red wine, whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and optionally, an egg white. Bourbon and rye are both excellent whiskey options. When selecting wine, a dry and fruity red is recommended. Simple syrup can be made by mixing equal parts sugar and water, and while you can easily make it at home, it’s also available for purchase. Typically, simple syrup is clear, but ours has a golden tint due to the use of organic, unbleached sugar.

Additionally, you'll require a cup, a jigger or shot glass for measuring, a cocktail shaker or mason jar for mixing, ice, and a spoon. A bar spoon is preferable, but any small spoon, like a teaspoon, will suffice.

Gather sour ingredients

To start, make sure to collect all your ingredients and tools beforehand. Mixing cocktails is a fast process, so it's important to have everything at your fingertips. This includes juicing your lemons and preparing the simple syrup and egg whites.

Shake it up

In your cocktail shaker or mason jar, mix together whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if you're using it) over ice, and shake vigorously. This process blends all the ingredients into a smooth mixture, providing a uniform base for the wine. Additionally, if you include egg whites, this step will create a frothy layer.

Strain into glass

Pour the whiskey mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. A rocks glass is a short tumbler typically used for whiskey. If you don’t have a cocktail strainer, you can use a small mesh sieve or a fork to prevent any ice or bits of lemon from getting into the finished drink.

Grab your spoon

Grab a bar spoon or a teaspoon and flip it over so the curved side is facing up. Position the inverted spoon in the glass, keeping it just above the surface of the liquid.

Pour the wine slowly

Carefully and gradually drizzle red wine over the back of a bar spoon, allowing it to cascade softly into the whiskey sour. The key is to pour slowly and consistently to avoid creating a vigorous stream that would unintentionally blend the two liquids.

Sit and sip

At last, take a moment to appreciate your creation. Snap some photos for social media if you’d like. Relax with a cocktail in hand and revel in the new skill you’ve acquired.

How To Layer A New York Sour Cocktail