CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1850–1889
Brandy Sour
Brandy, lemon and a little sugar under a soft foam cap: a gentler take on the sour.
1862Historical classicResearched
The Brandy Sour is one of the original sours: Jerry Thomas published a recipe in his 1862 Bar-Tender’s Guide alongside gin and rum versions. For a time brandy dominated the sour family before whiskey took over in popularity. Its formula — spirit, citrus, sugar and water from ice — is the template for countless later cocktails.
THE RECIPEMellow, rounded and citrus-forward
Ingredients
- Brandy60 ml
- Lemon juice30 ml
- Simple syrup20 ml
- Egg white1
- Lemon wheel and cherryto garnish
Method
Dry-shake the brandy, lemon, syrup and egg white, then shake again with ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry.
Rocks glass · ice · foam, lemon and cherry