National Whiskey Day is celebrated on August 25 in honor of this beloved cocktail. A true connoisseur knows that a whiskey sour offers a rich blend of flavors. This is the perfect day for you to enjoy this delicious drink, and your chance to try it if you haven’t before. This drink is made with whiskey and bourbon. Sugar, lemon juice, and often a dash of egg white are added to the concoction. Of course, different variations of this cocktail have also been created. You might have heard of New York Sour, in which a little bit of full-bodied red wine is added to the cocktail for an interesting burst of flavor.
History of National Whiskey Sour Day
We don’t really know how National Whiskey Sour Day came about but the origin of this drink is well detailed in history. In fact, the oldest known mention of whiskey sour has been found in the Wisconsin publication of the Waukesha Plain Dealer some 100 years ago! In the mid-1900s, a story was printed in the “El Comercio de Iquique” that credited one Elliott Stubb with the invention of the drink. It is believed that the oldest whiskey available was packaged sometime between 1851 and 1858 — it is getting close to celebrating its 170th birthday!
Whiskey Sour Day was probably started to celebrate the creation of this delicious drink, and its unchallenged popularity as one of the most beloved bar drinks across the world. So popular is this drink that you will find it in the name of several books, multiple songs, and even articles that have nothing to do with the drink itself.
If you want to serve this cocktail as you would in a bar, then along with the ingredients listed above, you will have to garnish the drink with a maraschino cherry and half of an orange slice. Even with its simple recipe, the drink never fails to pack a punch. A whiskey sour is normally shaken and then it is served either over ice or straight up. The popularity of the drink has led to the creation of similar cocktails. Mixologists experiment with different types of whiskeys and bourbons, replace sugar with a different kind of syrups and top it off with their choice of citruses.
National Whiskey Sour Day timeline
The Babylonians in Mesopotamia start distilling whiskey.
Greeks in Alexandria start chemical distillation methods.
Whiskey is used as currency during the American Revolution.
The first distillery in India is built by Edward Dyer at Kasauli.
National Whiskey Sour Day FAQs
Is whiskey sour a good drink?
Too much syrup and the drink tastes too sweet and the taste of the whiskey is overshadowed. A well-made whiskey sour is often considered a sophisticated drink choice.
Can you use any whiskey for a whiskey sour?
The traditional whiskey sour uses an 80-proof bourbon as the base, which adds a touch of vanilla and oak flavoring without overpowering the sweet to sour ratio that is essential to the drink.
Can you use rye whiskey in a whiskey sour?
The peppery “bite” present in rye whiskey gives it a very different taste than the sweeter and smoother bourbon, which makes it an ideal spirit for a whiskey sour.
National Whiskey Sour Day Activities
Enjoy the drink
Treat yourself to a glass or two of whiskey sour on National Whiskey Sour Day. Hit your favorite bar with your friends and treat them to a round of this delicious cocktail.
Go shopping for sours
Shop for as many varieties of sours as you can today — mandarins, oranges, kaffir limes, and bitter lemons make for a great addition to any whiskey sour.
Try a new variation
Tired of drinking the same old concoction? Why not try a different variation of the whiskey sour today? Switch your regular whiskey for rye whiskey, and try a new sour.
5 Facts About Whiskey That Will Blow Your Mind
Aged whiskey is a prized possession
The oldest whiskey is 150 years old.
Whiskey can be pretty expensive too
A Lalique decanter of Macallan ‘M’ whisky was sold for £393,109.
The word has Gaelic roots
It means “the water of life”.
It takes time to age
Whiskey takes about three years to age.
No one knows who invented whiskey
It used to be consumed as a holy drink.
Why We Love National Whiskey Sour Day
It celebrates one of the most beloved cocktails
You will hardly find a bar that doesn’t have whiskey sour on its menu. This day celebrates the cocktail that has taken the bar culture by storm.
A day to experiment
National Whiskey Sour Day is the perfect day to experiment with different kinds of whiskey cocktails. Give the classic whiskey sour a fun new twist, and who knows maybe it will be the next best drink!
A day to celebrate with friends
A drink is best enjoyed in the company of our loved ones, and that’s how we recommend a whiskey sour should be enjoyed. Today is the perfect day to go bar hopping with your friends and sample the cocktail at different locations.
National Whiskey Sour Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | August 25 | Sunday |
| 2025 | August 25 | Monday |
| 2026 | August 25 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | August 25 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | August 25 | Friday |
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