Nilgiri Blue Mountain Whiskey Sour
A fragrant twist on the whiskey sour, built on strong-brewed Nilgiri tea, fresh lemon, and a hint of honey—bright, brisk, and beautifully clear.
Nilgiri's bright, fruity character makes it a natural partner for whiskey. Brewed strong and chilled, it adds fragrance and a brisk tannic backbone to a classic sour, while its famous clarity keeps the finished drink looking clean and jewel-bright in the glass.
The build is straightforward: strong Nilgiri tea stands in for some of the water and dilution, lemon juice brings the sour, and a touch of honey syrup softens the edges. The tea's gentle fruitiness bridges the whiskey and citrus beautifully.
Shake it hard with plenty of ice to chill and aerate. An optional egg white gives the cocktail a silky foam crown, the perfect canvas for a few drops of bitters and the tea's golden hue beneath.
For a non-alcoholic mocktail, simply leave out the whiskey and top the shaken Nilgiri tea, lemon, and honey syrup with a splash of soda water over ice. You keep all the fragrant, brisk brightness of the Blue Mountains—an elegant alcohol-free option for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 60 ml strong-brewed Nilgiri tea, chilled
- 45 ml bourbon or blended whiskey
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water)
- 1 egg white (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist and a few drops of bitters, to garnish
How to make it
- 1Brew the Nilgiri tea strong (2 tsp per cup, 4 minutes), then chill thoroughly.
- 2Add the chilled tea, whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup, and egg white (if using) to a shaker and dry-shake without ice for 10 seconds.
- 3Add ice and shake again for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- 4Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist and a few drops of bitters.
Want to learn more about Nilgiri? Visit its full profile.
Back to NilgiriYou might also like
Nilgiri Morning Wellness Cup with Honey and Lemon
A bright, fragrant morning cup of Nilgiri tea lifted with fresh lemon and a touch of honey—a gentle, energizing start to the day from the Blue Mountains.
Crystal-Clear Nilgiri Iced Tea
Nilgiri is famous for staying perfectly clear over ice—this refreshing iced tea shows off its non-clouding brilliance with fresh citrus and mint.