Friday, August 25 is National Whiskey Sour Day, and N.C. offers distilleries from the mountains to the coast who craft the rebellious spirit that provides this cocktail’s punch. Of the six sisters of whiskey — Bourbon, Rye, Malted Rye, Malted Barley, Corn and Wheat — wheat is considered the smoothest and best tasting. But wheat fell out of favor as a distilling grain more than 150 years ago. Top of the Hill Distillery in Chapel Hill is helping wheat whiskey make a comeback with their Carolina Moonshine Whiskey (an unaged whiskey) and TOPO Eight Oak Whiskey. Below is a recipe featuring the Eight Oak Whiskey. Cheers!
CAROLINA SOUR
1 1/2 oz. TOPO Eight Oak Whiskey
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
3/4 oz. Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Orange Slice
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until very cold. Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
