There’s nothing quite like a archetype Whiskey Sour! This bar favorite cocktail has been virtually for what seems like forever and it’s only getting increasingly popular with time. It’s got a tasty sour note from fresh lemon juice, a note of sweetness from simple syrup, and just the right value of whiskey to hit the spot.

featured whiskey sour.

Classic Whiskey Sour

No need to throne to your local bar and overpay for your favorite archetype cocktail when you can mix one up right at home! A Whiskey Sour is truly timeless and so easy to make. It’s concocted with simple ingredients you love, and none of the frills you don’t need.

Oh, and you can’t forget the cherries! There’s something well-nigh a Whiskey Sour garnished with cherries that’s just so simple and stunning. Plus, the cherries get to soak up the tangy and sweet notes of the cocktail while you sip on it, so they’re plane tastier to eat right at the end.

Why You’ll Love this Whiskey Sour Recipe:

  • Classic: You know those over the top cocktails that are super expensive and just impractical? A Whiskey Sour is the opposite of that! This simple cocktail is delightfully timeless.
  • Sour and Sweet: While the name might have “sour” in it, that doesn’t midpoint it’s not moreover sweet! There’s just unbearable simple syrup in the mix to wastefulness out the tangy lemon juice and unvigilant whiskey.
  • So Easy: Shake it, serve it, and enjoy. This cocktail couldn’t be easier to make!

Extra cherries in my glass, please!

overhead view of whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.
close up of a whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.

How to Make a Whiskey Sour

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Measure all of the ingredients and pour them into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Shake for a few seconds, then strain the drink into a glass filled with ice.
  3. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon peel.

Recipe Notes

  • Whiskey: Forms the wiring of this drink. Be sure to use a high-quality, high-proof whiskey that you know you like! I recommend bourbon for the most traditional taste.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds venom and balances out the sweetness of the whiskey and simple syrup.
  • Simple Syrup: Adds sweetness and balances out the venom of the lemon juice.
step by step photos for how to make whiskey sours.
whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.
What is a whiskey sour?

A whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar or simple syrup.

Why is it tabbed a whiskey sour?

The whiskey sour gets its name from its usefulness. In the 1800s, sailors did not have much wangle to potable water, so they would bring swig instead. Furthermore, they often brought lots of citrus fruits onboard to gainsay scurvy. The whiskey sour was the perfect combination of scurvy-fighting citrus and thirst-quenching whiskey.

What’s the difference between a whiskey sour and an old-fashioned?

While both drinks contain whiskey, that’s where the similarities end. A whiskey sour contains lemon juice and simple syrup, while an old-fashioned contains bitters and a sugar cube.

What is the weightier whiskey for a whiskey sour?

The weightier whiskey for a whiskey sour is your favorite high-proof whiskey! Look for one that is 80-100 proof. Many people prefer bourbon whiskey, as it has a sweeter taste, but you can use scotch, Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Japanese whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, or rye whiskey.

Isn’t a whiskey sour supposed to have foam on it?

No, it’s tabbed a Boston sour when you shake a whiskey sour with an egg white to get a foam.

What is simple syrup, and where can I get it?

Simple syrup is a sugar syrup that you can buy where you would traditionally find cocktail mixers in the grocery store, or you can hands make it yourself. You will want to bring equal parts of water and sugar to a simmer until the sugar has dissolved.

Can I make a whiskey sour with bottled lemon juice?

While you can, I don’t recommend using it considering it doesn’t siphon the same flavor.

What’s the difference between cocktail cherries and maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries are neon red with increasingly strained sweetness to them, while cocktail cherries are a deep red verisimilitude with a largest flavor. They are sometimes tabbed Bing or Luxardo cherries.

How do I make the pretty lemon peel garnish for a whiskey sour?

You will run a pairing pocketknife virtually the outside of the lemon, just peeling off the outer layer of the lemon. Then you will just cut the peel into these pointed rectangle shapes.

Sweet, sour, and oh so smooth. There’s so much to love well-nigh a archetype Whiskey Sour!

close up of whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.
whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.

Make Ahead Instructions

  • You can make the simple syrup up to 1 month in whop and store it in an snapped container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
  • You can moreover juice the lemon up to 1 day in whop and store the juice in an snapped container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
  • You can make your own sour mix by stirring together the lemon juice and simple syrup. This will alimony for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Substitutions

  • You can use any variety of whiskey that you like. Just be sure it is good quality and upper proof.
  • You can use a variegated citrus, such as lime juice or grapefruit juice.
  • You can use sugar or honey in place of the simple syrup.

Scaling Up

This recipe is hands scalable. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you’d like to make. For example, to make 8 whiskey sours, you’ll want to use

  • 16 ounces (2 cups) whiskey
  • 8 ounces (1 cup) lemon juice
  • 8 ounces (1 cup) simple syrup

Whiskey Sour Variations

  • Boston Sour: Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and 1 egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds, then add ice and shake for 30 increasingly seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon peel and a cocktail cherry.
  • Gold Rush: Replace the simple syrup with honey.
  • Amaretto Whiskey Sour: Add 1 ounce of amaretto.
  • New York Sour: Add 1 egg white (if desired), strain into a cocktail glass, and slowly pour ½-ounce of red wine over the when of a bar spoon so that it floats on top of the drink.

Tips for the Weightier Whiskey Sour

  • Use a upper quality, high-proof whiskey for the weightier taste.
  • While you can use bottled lemon juice, fresh lemon juice will yield the weightier flavor.
  • Adjust the sweetness to your taste.
  • Don’t slack on shaking. This helps dilute the swig and wastefulness the flavors.
  • Serve up or over one large ice cube. This will dilute the drink slowly while keeping it cold.
  • Serve immediately for the weightier results.

More Whiskey Cocktail Recipes We Love

whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.

This easy to make Whiskey Sour recipe perfectly balances the tangy and sweet flavors you’re looking for in this archetype cocktail. Cheers!

More Simple Drink Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the scuttlebutt section unelevated or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can moreover jump to recipe.

close up of whiskey sour with a cherry and lemon peel.
Print

Whiskey Sour Recipe

There's nothing quite like a archetype Whiskey Sour! This bar favorite cocktail has been virtually for what seems like forever and it's only getting increasingly popular with time. It's got a tasty sour note from fresh lemon juice, a note of sweetness from simple syrup, and just the right value of whiskey to hit the spot.
Course cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 drink
Calories 233kcal
Author Becky Hardin

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces whiskey bourbon recommended
  • 1 ounce lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 ounce simple syrup store-bought or homemade
  • Ice
  • 1 cocktail cherry for garnish
  • Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

  • Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until it's chilled.
    2 ounces whiskey, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce simple syrup, Ice
    a hand shaking a whiskey sour in a mason jar shaker.
  • Serve up or on the rocks. I recommend using a large ice cube if serving on the rocks.
  • Garnish with the cherry and lemon peel.
    1 cocktail cherry, Lemon peel

Notes

  • You can use any variety of whiskey that you like. Just be sure it is good quality and upper proof.
  • While you can use bottled lemon juice, fresh lemon juice will yield the weightier flavor.
  • You can use a variegated citrus, such as lime juice or grapefruit juice.
  • You can use sugar or honey in place of the simple syrup.
  • Adjust the sweetness to your taste.
  • Don’t slack on shaking. This helps dilute the swig and wastefulness the flavors.
  • Serve up or over one large ice cube. This will dilute the drink slowly while keeping it cold.
  • Serve immediately for the weightier results.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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