NATIONAL WHISKEY SOUR DAY | AUGUST 25
On August 25th, people across the United States observe National Whiskey Sour Day.
#NationalWhiskeySourDay
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
Alternatives to the traditional whiskey sour are the Boston sour and the Ward 8. The Boston sour adds a dash of egg white to the recipe. The Ward 8 uses either a Bourbon or rye whiskey base 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.
- In 2004, Alabama named Conecuh Ridge Whiskey as its official state spirit.
- According to legend, Jack Daniels ran away at the age of 6 and learned to make whiskey from a Lutheran minister.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WHISKEY SOUR DAY
Celebrate by enjoying a whiskey sour! Invite a friend to join you. Don’t hesitate to try a twist on the whiskey sour. While you enjoy your cocktail, explore the history of whiskey, its production, and trade. We recommend:
- The documentaries Straight Up and Scotch: The Golden Dram
- Whiskey Master Class by Lew Bryson
- Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch and Irish Whiskey by Fred Minnick
- Dead Distillers by Colin Spoelman and David Haskell
(Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.) Use #NationalWhiskeySourDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL WHISKEY SOUR DAY HISTORY
Within our research, we were unable to find the creator or the origin of this popular National Day.
Whiskey FAQ
Q. What kind of glass do you use to serve a whiskey sour?
A. A whiskey sour can be served in a rocks glass, highball, a stemmed glass.
Q. Can I make a sour from other spirits?
A. Yes. Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, pisco, and brandy are all used to make sour cocktails.
Q. What’s in a tequila sour?
A. Tequila, lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and egg white (optional). Did you know, the margarita and Paloma also fall into the sour cocktails category?
Q. What whiskey holidays are on the calendar?
A. National Irish Coffee Day, International Whisk(e)y Day, National Bootlegger’s Day, and National Bourbon Day just to name a few.
August 25th Celebrated History
1810
The first patent for preserving food in tin cans is issued to Peter Durand. The merchant would later sell the English patent No. 3372 to Bryan Donkin and John Hall.
1840
Addressing the issue of proper field seeding, Joseph Gibbons patents a grain drill that regulated the amount of seed sown in a single row.
1875
Captain Matthew Web swims across the English Channel unassisted. His accomplishment is the first swim recorded swim across the channel from England to France.
1894
The bacteriologist identified the organism responsible for the bubonic plague.
1908
Fifty-two graduates of nursing, led by Martha Franklin, organized the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.
1916
Congress establishes the National Park Service.
1919
The first international passenger air service begins operating between London and Paris.
1920
At the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Ethelda Bleibtrey becomes the first woman to win gold in swimming.
1932
From sea to shining sea, Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the North American content solo.
1958
Chikin Ramen becomes the first instant noodles on the market. Momofuku Ando perfected the process, and Nissin Foods sold the product.
1968
Tennis player Arthur Ashe earns the men’s singles champion, becoming the first African-American to win the U.S. Open.
1980
GE registers copyright for the jingle “We Bring Good Things To Life.”
2006
The world’s tallest living tree is discovered. Named Hyperion, the redwood discovered by Michael Taylor and Chris Atkins grows in Redwood National and State Parks.
2012
NASA’s Voyager 1 enters interstellar space, making it the first spacecraft to venture beyond the power of the solar winds.
August 25th Celebrated Birthdays
Allan Pinkerton – 1819
The former deputy sheriff of Cook County in Chicago is best known for establishing one of the country’s most famous private detective agencies, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
Joshua L. Cowen – 1877
The inventor and toymaker co-founded the Lionel Corporation and developed the first Lionel model train for the company.
Mary Bruce – 1900
Founder of the Mary Bruce Dance School in Harlem, the ballet and tap dancer taught Gregory Hines, Ruby Dee, and Katharine Dunham.
Mollie Panter – Downes – 1906
English author of such works as The Shoreless Sea and One Fine Day, Panter-Downes was also a columnist for The New Yorker.
Dorothea Tanning – 1910
The artist is best known for her surrealist painting and sculpture.
Arnold Neustadter – 1910
Before there was the Facebook friends list, there was the Rolodex. And Arnold Neustadter invented it.
Walt Kelly – 1913
Kelly worked for Walt Disney Studios as an animator, but he also created the comic strip Pogo.
Monty Hall – 1921
Comedian and game show host, Monty Hall, is best known for hosting the television game show Let’s Make a Deal.
Sean Connery – 1930
The first actor to play the role of James Bond in the Bond films, Connery has appeared in over 90 films including The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and the host of the Untouchables.
Regis Philbin- 1931
The perennial talk show host also hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and made several cameos in film and television.
Gene Simmons – 1949
Co-founder of the band KISS, Simmons joined reality TV in 2006 when the A&E network began airing Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
Tim Burton – 1958
Filmmaker, Tim Burton, is known for creating dark and wonderous films and animation.
Ian Falconer – 1959
Ian Falconer wrote and illustrated the Olivia books and television show for children.
Rachael Ray – 1968
The syndicated celebrity chef is known for lifestyle and cooking programs and her cookbooks and product line.
Jo Dee Messina – 1970
The country music artist has a string of number 1 hits, including “Bring on the Rain.”
