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.

A whisky sour cocktail in a rounded glass with a frothy top, garnished with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry on a skewer, set against a textured gray background.

The whiskey sour

This cocktail that’s been around since the 1800s and still holds up! It’s really nicely balanced with deep whiskey, tangy lemon, and a hint of sweetness. The egg white is optional but I highly recommend it. It makes the drink extra smooth and creamy.

How to make

  1. You’ll begin with a dry shake.
Hand pouring liquid from a small metallic cup into a larger stainless steel cup or shaker, against a light gray background.
  1. Add all the ingredients to a shaker without ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. This helps create a frothy texture.
A metal cup with frothy, foamy liquid inside, placed on a textured gray surface. The foam has small bubbles, and part of an ice cube is visible in the liquid.
  1. Add ice and shake again for another 15 seconds until well chilled.
A yellow cocktail is being poured from a metal shaker into a clear, wide-rimmed glass standing on a marble coaster. The background features a blurred white brick wall.
  1. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or serve it straight up in a coupe glass.
A hand swirls a toothpick through a frothy cocktail in a coupe glass, creating a decorative pattern with red bitters on the foam. The background is blurred, highlighting the drinks creamy texture and design.
  1. 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 and the second shake chills the drink.
  • Choose quality whiskey. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it more tart, use a little less.

More whiskey cocktails

A whisky sour cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with an orange slice and a cherry on a skewer. The drink has a frothy top and is set on a marble coaster against a light brick wall background.

Summarize and save this content on:

A whisky sour cocktail in a stemmed glass on a marble coaster. The drink is light amber with a frothy top layer. Garnished with a cherry and two lemon wedges on a skewer. The background is a textured, light-colored surface.

Whiskey Sour

Elien Lewis
The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that’s smooth, tart, and just the right amount of sweet.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Cocktails
Servings 1
Calories 173 kcal

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.

Notes

Both US customary and metric measurements are provided. Use the buttons on the recipe card to toggle between the two. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 12gSodium: 2mgSugar: 10g
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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