Blood Orange Boston Sour

In addition to the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and a few others, the Whiskey Sour is no doubt one of the quintessential whiskey cocktails. It's relatively simple as far as mixed drinks go, requiring just lemon juice, sugar, whiskey and a cherry or lemon garnish. If you haven't ever tried this classic, I highly recommend it. But of course, I couldn't help but change things up a little. 

This recipe for a Blood Orange Boston Sour finds its roots in the Whiskey Sour, but adds freshly squeezed blood orange juice and an egg white. Yes. You read that correctly. Egg white (which is what makes it a "Boston Sour").

I remember the first time I had a cocktail with an egg white in it. I read the description on the menu of one of our favorite restaurants and was definitely a little weirded out. I took the plunge and ordered it anyway...and I'm so glad I did! Egg whites add a slight fizz and a layer of froth, providing texture to the drink that's hard to replicate with any other ingredient.

And when it's shaken up with lemon, blood orange and bourbon? You've got the perfect balance between refreshing and warming, smooth and effervescent, sweet and tart. 

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Blood Orange Boston Sour
Yields 1 cocktail

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce freshly squeezed blood orange juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce egg white (requires about 1 small egg)*
Ice
Orange slice

Add the bourbon, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with the orange slice. Serve and enjoy!

*Use fresh eggs if possible, or if you prefer to avoid the raw egg, you can leave it out. You won't have the frothiness of a Boston Sour, but you'll still have a delicious Blood Orange Whiskey Sour.

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