The Perfect Watermelon Sour Mocktail
FOOD & HOME
The Perfect Watermelon Sour Mocktail
BY: Tanya Flink
It’s summer and the heat is on. Fridges are fully stocked with sparkling water, kombucha, and cold-pressed juices. These chilled beverages are perfectly satisfying on the day-to-day, but every once in awhile, the evening calls for something a bit more special. When you have a few spare minutes and feel like adding a special touch to an ordinary day, it’s time to mix up a cool and refreshing mocktail (or cocktail, if that’s your vibe). We’re putting a summer twist on a classic drink: introducing the perfect watermelon sour. It’s our summery, plant-based take on a whiskey sour, and you have the option to make it with or without alcohol. Add watermelon to your farmers’ market shopping list and dust off your fancy glasses. Here’s how to make the perfect watermelon sour mocktail.
What Is a Whiskey Sour?
This classic cocktail is traditionally made by shaking up whiskey (preferably bourbon), lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white with ice. When strained into a cocktail glass, the drink gets a white layer of foam produced by the egg white. We love the added texture of the foam in this drink, but we wanted to create a beverage everyone could enjoy—that meant we had to make it plant-based and accessible for those who don’t partake in alcohol. While we were at it, we decided to put a summer spin on it, swapping the simple syrup for a homemade watermelon syrup. The result was a hit, and we had to share it. Not a watermelon fan? You can swap in simple syrup for watermelon syrup, or try a different fruit that pairs well with lemon, like strawberries or blueberries.
How to Make a Watermelon Sour
Unlike some beverages, this drink isn’t complicated, and you don’t need a stocked bar cart to make it at home. Here are the basics: two parts zero-proof whiskey, one part lemon lime juice (from real citrus, not the bottled kind), one part aquafaba, and one-and-a-half parts homemade watermelon syrup. This drink is all about balance, so if you prefer your beverages on the sweeter side, you may want to up the watermelon syrup to equal the amount of zero-proof whiskey. Alternatively, you’ll taste a bit more sour and whiskey flavor if you drop the syrup amount to just one part. These ratios are solid, but feel free to have fun experimenting and creating your own signature mocktail. Cheers!
Watermelon Sour Ingredients
¼ cup zero-proof whiskey or bourbon*
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons aquafaba**
3 tablespoons homemade watermelon syrup (recipe here)
2 ice cubes
1-inch triangle of watermelon, for garnish
*Try Ritual or Spiritless’s Kentucky 74
**The brine from a can of chickpeas
Watermelon Sour Instructions
Combine all ingredients (except the garnish) in a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into your favorite cocktail glass. Garnish with a watermelon slice and enjoy!
For more mouthwatering food guides, check out the other posts in Our Journal.