Here’s how to make the perfect whiskey sour with fresh lemon juice and quality bourbon! This classic cocktail recipe delivers the ideal balance of sweet, tart, and boozy flavors in minutes.
I’ll never forget the first time I tried a properly made whiskey sour. My father-in-law is extremely passionate about this drink, but the type made with sour mix. So as cocktail experts, Alex and I set about to create a recipe for this classic cocktail. The first sip of that perfectly balanced, fresh-squeezed creation and I was hooked. The sweet-tart citrus with warming bourbon is pure magic.
Since then, I’ve spent years perfecting my own whiskey sour recipe. This isn’t just another cocktail recipe—it’s the key to making a drink that’ll have your friends and family asking for the recipe every single time!
What makes this whiskey sour recipe special
I’ve tested dozens of whiskey sour variations over the years, and I’ve found that the secret lies in three key elements: using fresh lemon juice (never bottled), choosing the right bourbon, and my favorite twist: swapping simple syrup for pure maple syrup. That small change adds caramel undertones that make this drink even tastier—but you can make it with the classic simple syrup, too!
The whiskey sour dates back to the 1860s, making it one of America’s oldest cocktails. But despite that history, I’ve found that many people have only experienced the overly sweet, artificially colored versions served at chain restaurants. A proper whiskey sour should be perfectly balanced, not too sweet nor too tart, with the bourbon flavor shining through.
Whiskey sour ingredients
The whiskey sour is a classic sour cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. It’s often served with an egg white foam, in which case it’s sometimes called a Boston Sour.
The earliest mention of this classic cocktail was in the 1862 book The Bartender’s Guide: How To Mix Drinks by Jerry Thomas. The ingredients are the same today:
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey: as high quality as possible. (You can use any whiskey, but we prefer the flavor of bourbon.)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ¾ to 1 oz simple syrup
- Orange or lemon peel and cocktail cherry, for garnish
Pro tip
Adjust the sweetness level in a whiskey sour to fit your tastes. A classic sour formula is 2:1:1, which means 2 oz spirit, 1 oz citrus and 1 oz sweetener. We prefer a whiskey sour with ¾ oz syrup, which lets the whiskey flavor shine. But if you prefer a sweeter cocktail, use up to 1 oz syrup.
Choosing the best whiskey for whiskey sours
In my experience, the bourbon you choose makes all the difference. I typically reach for mid-range bottles in the $25 to $35 range—something with enough character to stand up to the citrus and sweetener, but not so expensive you’d want to save it for sipping.
My go-to picks include Elijah Craig Small Batch, Four Roses Small Batch, or Woodford Reserve. For special occasions, I like Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon, which adds vanilla and spice notes. I’ve also experimented with rye whiskey, which creates a stronger, spicier finish.
You can mix up the type of whiskey to create variations on this drink: a Buchanan Sour uses Scotch, the Penicillin stars Scotch and ginger honey syrup, an Irish Sour uses Irish whiskey, and the Ward 8 cocktail stars rye whiskey, orange and grenadine.
A note on the sweetener
While most bartenders use simple syrup to sweeten drinks, I’ve found that pure maple syrup creates a more complex, nuanced sweetness. The natural caramel notes in maple syrup complement bourbon beautifully, adding depth without overpowering the drink (and no, it doesn’t taste like maple!).
I’ve done countless side-by-side taste tests with family and friends, and maple syrup wins every single time. The difference is subtle but it transforms a good whiskey sour into a great one.
Featured 5-star review
“This is my go to whiskey sour recipe! I’ve tried it with a few different bourbon brands and it’s always is delicious. Started buying maple syrup in bulk!” -Patricia
Whiskey sour mix for a crowd
If you’re looking for a whiskey sour mix, but you don’t want to get one of those store bought containers with lots of sugar. You can also make this recipe as a mix to make lots of drinks at once. It’s good made up to 24 hours in advance.
- To make a whiskey sour mix for 8 drinks: Mix 1 cup lemon juice plus ¾ cup simple syrup or maple syrup. Or, make our Sweet and Sour Mix.
- To make a single drink: Measure out 3 ½ tablespoons of the mix with 4 tablespoons whiskey (see Whiskey Sour Mix).
Popular whiskey sour variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, there are countless variations on this bourbon cocktail. I particularly love the New York Sour, which floats red wine on top for a beautiful color gradient. The Gold Rush uses honey syrup instead of maple, creating an even richer sweetness.
For citrus lovers, try my Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour, which adds seasonal flair. The Amaretto Whiskey Sour incorporates Italian almond liqueur for complexity. And if you’re feeling adventurous, the Whiskey Sour with Egg White creates a silky foam top that’s absolutely stunning.
Frequently asked questions
Adding an egg white gives a silky texture and a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel to the drink. A whiskey sour can be made with or without egg whites. A whiskey sour with egg white is also called Boston Sour.
Bartenders have been adding egg whites to sour cocktails since the 1860’s or before. Several drinks contain egg white in the 1862 book The Bartender’s Guide: How To Mix Drinks by Jerry Thomas.
Some people say that the best ratio for a whiskey sour is 3 parts spirits, 2 parts sour, 1 part sweet. However, the classic formula for a sour is a 2:1:1 ratio, or 2 parts spirits, 1 part sour and 1 part sweet. We prefer a 2:1:1 ratio for a whiskey sour.
A classic whiskey sour uses fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, creating a balanced and complex flavor profile. Sour mix drinks often rely on pre-made sour mixes, which can be overly sweet and lack depth.
You can use either a classic coupe glass or a rocks glass.
Pre-squeeze your lemon juice and prepare simple syrup in advance. However, assemble and serve the whiskey sour right before drinking for the freshest flavors and frothiest texture.
For an egg-free alternative to egg white foams, this Fee Brothers Cocktail Foamer has become a popular alternative. You can also use 2 tablespoons aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas.
Classic Whiskey Sour
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeMaster the classic whiskey sour! This cocktail is easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients for a balance of sweet, tart, and boozy.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey (we prefer bourbon)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 to 1 ounce simple syrup*
- Garnish: Orange peel and a cocktail cherry
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill with a handful of ice and shake until very cold.
- Strain the drink into a lowball or Old Fashioned glass. Serve with ice, an orange peel and a cocktail cherry.
Notes
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
* Adjust the sweetness level in a whiskey sour to fit your tastes. We also like substituting maple syrup for the simple syrup, which adds subtle caramel notes to the flavor profile.
Want more cocktail ideas? The Whiskey Sour is on our list of the top 50 Most Popular Cocktails, along with the margarita, gin and tonic, Tom Collins, mimosa, and more.
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