This whiskey sour is smooth, citrusy, and perfectly balanced. It’s a cocktail that’s been around forever for good reason. The warm whisky pairs beautifully with fresh lemon juice, and there’s just enough sweetness to round it all out.
The whiskey sour
The whiskey sour is a classic sour cocktail made with whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. It’s one of the easiest cocktails to make at home and a great starting point if you’re new to mixing drinks. The optional egg white gives it that signature silky texture and frothy top, but it’s just as delicious without.
For the whiskey, you have options. Bourbon gives you a sweeter, rounder drink with notes of vanilla and caramel. Rye whiskey makes a spicier, drier cocktail with more bite. I like bourbon when I want something smooth and rye when I want something with a bit more edge. Both are delicious, so use whatever you have or prefer.
If you’re using egg white, you’ll do a “reverse dry shake.” This just means you shake everything without ice first to get the egg white frothy, then add ice and shake again to chill. It’s what gives you that thick, creamy foam on top. If you’re not comfortable with raw egg white, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) works just as well. Just make sure it’s unsalted.
How to make
- Add all the ingredients to a shaker without ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. This helps create a frothy texture.
- Add ice and shake again for another 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or serve it straight up in a coupe glass.
- Top with a few drops of bitters and garnish with a cherry and an lemon slice.
Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice. The difference between fresh and bottled is night and day.
- Shake hard. Shaking is what chills the drink properly and creates that thick foam. Don’t be gentle with it.
- Adjust to taste. Like it sweeter? Add a splash more syrup. Prefer it more tart? Use a little less. The recipe is a starting point, not a rule.
- Chill your glass. Pop it in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink. It keeps everything colder longer.
- No egg white? The drink is still delicious without it, just less creamy. Or try aquafaba as a vegan alternative.
More whiskey and sour cocktails
- Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix
- Bourbon Old Fashioned
- Blackberry Whiskey Sour
- Amaretto Stone Sour
- Tequila Sour
- Aperol Sour
Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey bourbon or rye
- 1 oz lemon juice fresh
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 1 large egg white optional
- Ice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters optional
- cocktail cherry and and orange or lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Dry shake (without ice) all ingredients in a cocktail shaker for 10 seconds to create foam.
- Add ice and shake again vigorously for another 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe or rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Optional garnish: Add a few drops of Angostura bitters on top and swirl with a toothpick.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry and lemon or orange slice.
