Whiskey Sour

The whiskey sour is a classic cocktail that’s smooth, tart, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s made with whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Adding egg white gives it a silky texture and a signature frothy top. You can serve it in an old-fashioned glass or coupe glass.

About this Whiskey Sour

✔ Timeless classic – this cocktail that’s been around since the 1800s and still holds up.
✔ Perfectly balanced – The deep whiskey, tangy lemon, and a hint of sweetness works perfectly together.
✔ Velvety texture – The egg white (optional but highly recommended) makes it extra smooth and creamy.

Ingredients

You can find the amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Whiskey – A good bourbon will make the drink smooth and slightly sweet, while rye will add a bit more spice.
• Fresh lemon juice – The key to a great Whiskey Sour is fresh lemon juice. Avoid bottled juice.
• Simple syrup – Just enough to balance the tartness. Some people prefer a sugar cube, but I like syrup because it blends more easily.
• Egg white (optional) – Creates a foamy, silky texture. If skipping, the drink will still be delicious but less creamy.
• Angostura bitters (optional) – A couple of drops on top add a bit of complexity and it’s pretty when swirled into the foam.
• Ice – For shaking and serving.
• Garnish – Traditionally a cocktail cherry and an orange slice but I use a lemon slice to complement the lemon in the drink.

How to make

1️⃣ Dry shake – Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker (without ice) and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. This helps create a frothy texture.
2️⃣ Shake again – Add ice and shake again for another 15 seconds until well chilled.

3️⃣ Strain – Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or serve it straight up in a coupe glass.
4️⃣ Garnish – 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 juice is night and day.
✔ Shake well. The dry shake ensures a thick foam; the second shake chills the drink.
✔ Choose quality whiskeIf you like it sweeter, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it more tart, use a little less.
✔ Try bitters. A couple of dashes on top of the foam add depth and aroma.

More whiskey cocktails

🥃 Bourbon Old Fashioned
🥃 Blackberry Whiskey Sour

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