Boston Sour

The Boston Sour is a classic cocktail, not a food dish, that evolved from the Whiskey Sour by adding egg white for a richer texture and a frothy top. Its typical ingredients include bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, shaken vigorously to create a silky, meringue-like foam. It's a beloved staple in American cocktail culture, particularly associated with the Boston area and the golden age of mixology.

🍳 View the full Boston Sour recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

As a cocktail, it's primarily a source of simple carbohydrates from the sugar and alcohol, with negligible protein or fat (the egg white is emulsified and not a significant nutritional contributor). A standard serving contains roughly 150-200 calories, coming almost entirely from the bourbon and simple syrup.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	180 kcal
Protein	0.1 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	0 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	11 g
Sodium	5 mg
Potassium	40 mg
Vitamin C	8 mg
Calcium	5 mg
Iron	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3 mg
Phosphorus	5 mg
Manganese	0.1 mg
Folate	2 mcg

Per 1 cocktail (approx. 120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the Boston Sour is a prime example of the 'fizz' or 'sour' family of cocktails that were wildly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, showcasing the bartender's skill in creating texture without dairy. Nutritionally, while not a health food, the use of egg white was a traditional method to add body and a luxurious mouthfeel before modern thickeners existed.