Rattlesnake
CLASSIC · STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY

Rattlesnake

A classic prohibition-era sour with serious bite - bold rye whiskey and a touch of absinthe cut through tart lemon, while a vigorous dry shake whips the egg white into a cloud of silky, meringue-like foam.

Ingredients
Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml
Rich Sugar Syrup15 ml
Lemon Zest Twist
Aromatic Bitters
Glassware
Coupe
Chilled.
Flavor
BODYSWEETFRUITACIDHEATSMOKEEARTHBITTER

Anise · Black pepper · Cask character · Cream · Lemon

Estimated profile

Method
  1. 1

    Pre-chill a coupe glass. Prepare a lemon zest twist and have aromatic bitters ready for garnish.

  2. 2

    Combine rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, rich sugar syrup, absinthe, and egg white in a shaker.

  3. 3

    Add ice and shake hard for 10–12 seconds (wet shake).

  4. 4

    Strain the liquid back into the shaker tin, discarding the ice.

  5. 5

    Dry shake vigorously without ice for 15–20 seconds to build a thick, aerated foam.

  6. 6

    Fine strain into the chilled coupe glass.

  7. 7

    Express the lemon zest twist over the surface of the drink to release its oils, then discard.

  8. 8

    Finish by dashing aromatic bitters onto the foam and drawing a cocktail pick or straw through the dashes in an S-shape to create a snake pattern.

From the Bartender

The reverse dry-shake technique - wet shake first, then discard ice and dry shake - produces a denser, more stable foam than dry shaking first, because the chilled liquid emulsifies the egg white more effectively before aeration.

Rating
Be the first to log this drink.
Open the app → tap the cocktail → log a sip.
Try next

Cocktails like this one

Cameron's Kick
Blended Scotch whisky

Cameron's Kick

Gently smoky and honeyed on the nose, with a bright citrus lift and a warm whisky backbone that gives way to a nutty, almond-sweet finish. The egg white rounds out the texture into something smooth and almost creamy, making this sour feel as elegant as it is complex.

Champs-Elysees Cocktail
Cognac

Champs-Elysees Cocktail

Rich and spirit-forward with a warming cognac backbone, the vivid herbal complexity of Green Chartreuse weaves through bright, zesty lemon sour notes. A touch of sweetness and saline depth round out the finish, leaving it long, aromatic, and elegantly balanced.

Morning Glory Fizz
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Morning Glory Fizz

Silky and bright, with smoky Scotch backbone, a whisper of anise from the absinthe, and zippy lemon-lime acidity all lifted by a pillowy, cloud-like egg white foam. Refreshing yet complex, with a dry, aromatic finish that lingers long after the last sip.

New York Sour
Rye Whiskey

New York Sour

Bold and citrus-forward with a warming whiskey backbone, a silky egg white foam, and a dramatic finish of dry, fruity red wine that adds depth and a lingering vinous complexity.

Make this from your shelf

Scan your bottles, learn what you can pour right now.

My Bar Shelf reads your shelf and shows you every cocktail you can make from what you already own, including Rattlesnake.