This classic whiskey sour recipe is sweet, tart, rich, and refreshing. Easy to make with 4 simple ingredients, it’s one of our favorite whiskey cocktails.
A whiskey sour is one of Jack’s favorite cocktails to order when we go out to dinner. Made with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and optional egg white, it’s brighter than most whiskey drinks, which Jack thinks makes it the perfect start to a good meal. It also means that though I’m not usually a whiskey drinker, I do enjoy a whiskey sour. I love its sweet/tart flavor, rich texture, and foamy top.
Since we’re both fans of this classic cocktail, Jack and I have gotten into making whiskey sours at home. Turns out, you don’t need to be at a fancy restaurant or bar to sip this delicious drink. It’s easy to make in a cocktail shaker, and if the egg white intimidates you, you can simply leave it out! This whiskey sour recipe has become a staple in our fall and winter cocktail rotation. I hope you love it too!
Whiskey Sour Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this recipe:
- Bourbon – In theory, you could use any type of whiskey here (i.e., rye, scotch), but bourbon is a classic choice. Its sweet, oaky notes play nicely with the bright lemon. Our favorite brands are Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, and Cody Road.
- Fresh lemon juice – It probably goes without saying, but be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled. It gives this cocktail the best bright, tart flavor.
- Simple syrup – For sweetness. It’s easy to make your own with equal parts water and sugar. Learn how in my simple syrup recipe.
- Egg white – It creates the distinctive layer of foam on top of a whiskey sour. It also gives it a richer, almost creamy texture and mellows the tartness of the lemon. We like it in this drink, but if you’re squeamish about using raw egg white (totally fair, like all raw eggs, it poses a small risk of illness), you can skip it. The cocktail will be even tangier and have a lighter, more refreshing texture. I honestly love it that way!
- Ice – For chilling the cocktail.
- Garnishes – We always top this drink with a few dashes of Angostura bitters, which add notes of orange peel and clove. An orange slice brings out the citrus flavor even more, and a Maraschino cherry just takes the whole thing over the top.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Whiskey Sour
If you’ve made other cocktails at home before, you won’t have any trouble with a whiskey sour.
It’s super straightforward: shake, strain, garnish, and serve.
If you’re using the egg white, the one small difference from most shaken cocktails is that you’ll actually shake it WITHOUT ice first. This is called a “dry shake,” and it helps incorporate the egg white into the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup, giving the drink a thick texture and foamy top. Then, add the ice and shake until chilled.
A note on ratios: The classic ratio for a sour cocktail is 2 parts spirit to 1 part acid to 1 part sweetener. However, just like in my gimlet recipe, I like to use a higher ratio of spirit to allow the bourbon flavor to come through. Of course, feel free to adjust the ratios in this recipe to find a balance of flavors you love. Add more simple syrup for a sweeter drink, or use a little extra lemon for a brighter pop. Enjoy!
More Favorite Whiskey Cocktails
If you love this recipe, try one of these classic whiskey cocktails next:
Whiskey Sour
Serves 1
This whiskey sour recipe is one of our favorite classic cocktails! I’m not usually a whiskey drinker, and I still love its sweet and tart flavor. Add the egg white to give it a foamy top and thicker texture, or skip it for a lighter, brighter drink. Both ways are delicious!
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce egg white, optional
- Ice
- Angostura bitters, for garnish
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Prevent your screen from going dark
-
Place the bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, if using, in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds to incorporate the egg white, then add ice and shake until well chilled.
-
Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with 3 to 4 drops of Angostura bitters, an orange slice, and maraschino cherry and serve.
