Each year on August 25th, people across the United States observe National Whiskey Sour Day.

Traditionally garnished with half an orange and a maraschino cherry, a whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice and sugar. Whiskey sours are shaken then either served straight or over ice.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain

An alternative to the traditional whiskey sour is the Boston sour which is made by adding a dash of egg white to the recipe. Another variation is the Ward 8. This beverage has a base of either Bourbon or rye whiskey with both lemon and orange juices and grenadine syrup added for sweetness.

The first mention of a whiskey sour was in an 1870 Wisconsin newspaper.

• After opening, a bottle of whiskey will remain good for five years.
• An unopened bottle of whiskey can be kept for over 100 years and will still be fit to drink.
• Both “Whisky” and “Whiskey” spellings are correct. Whisky is specific to Scotch Whisky, and Whiskey is Irish.
• Whiskey is the official state beverage of Alabama.
• Legend has it that Jack Daniels ran away at the age of 6 and learned to make whiskey from a Lutheran minister.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWhiskeySourDay

Have a whiskey sour with a friend this evening. While you enjoy your cocktail, explore the history of whiskey, its production, and trade. The documentaries Straight Up and Scotch: The Golden Dram will give you a look inside both Bourbon and Scotch. 

(Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.) Use #NationalWhiskeySourDay to post on social media.

• adult beverage boston sour bourbon cocktail garnish glass grenadine irish lemon maraschino cherry scotch ward 8 whiskey wiskey