“Lemon Rye Whiskey Sour”

A couple of months back I posted a sour cocktail made with Bourbon. Since Rye Whiskey seems to be everywhere right now. Let me introduce you to my Lemon Rye Whiskey Sour. Yes, this is a sweet drink with an evident tart lemon punch. Not enough to pucker your lips but oh, you will know fresh lemon juice is in there. It’s a perfect refreshing cocktail on a hot Spring almost Summer night. Did I say that I’m a sucker for a great cocktail?

You can taste the smokiness of Rye Whiskey in each sip. The maple syrup is used in place of simple syrup which also lends a caramel sweetness. Maybe I would call it is a natural sweetness. I created this cocktail with simple and maple syrup and liked the maple syrup much better. If you have only simple syrup, it is all right to use but if not buy maple. Angostura Bitters enhance the citrus flavor as these bitters tend to do. Adding bitters to cocktails enhances our fifth taste, the bitter. Mixologists suggest bitters align and improve all the flavors in a cocktail. You add salt to food to enhance the taste, right? So use those bitters in your whiskey drinks and stir up a Lemon Rye Whiskey Sour. You’ll be refreshingly pleased and will add this cocktail to your list of keepers for Summer.

Lemon Rye Whiskey Sour

Lemon Rye Whiskey Sour

½ cup Rye Whiskey

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup maple syrup

6 dashes Angostura Bitters

Ice

Lemon peel or lemon slices, for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup, bitters and ice. Place lid on and shake until frosty, about 30 seconds. Divide contents between two cocktail glasses filled with more ice. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel or lemon slice. Enjoy!

Makes two cocktails.