Whiskey Sour

Name: Whiskey Sour
Prep time: 2 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: The Americas
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz whiskey; 30 ml / 1 oz fresh lemon juice; 22-30 ml / 0.75-1 oz simple syrup; 1 piece / 1 piece orange peel; 1 piece / 1 piece cocktail cherry

Bourbon Sour, Classic Whiskey Sour, Whiskey Sour Cocktail

United States

Recipe Snapshot

The essentials, at a glance

A sophisticated balance of tart citrus and rich whiskey. This timeless cocktail is prized for its refreshing yet bold flavor profile. It serves as a quintessential example of the sour family of drinks.

The Americas Drink - Alcoholic

Difficulty

Easy

Servings

Prep Time

2 minutes

Make Time

0 minutes

Calories

180 / serving

Diet

Non-Veg

Protein 1.0g

Fat 0.0g

Carbs 15.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

May not be suitable if you suffer with:

Acid Reflux

IBS

Diabetes

Indigestion

High Blood Pressure

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Ingredients & Method

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STEP 1

Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Ingredients

Servings: 1

60 ml / 2 oz whiskey

30 ml / 1 oz fresh lemon juice

22-30 ml / 0.75-1 oz sugar syrup

1 piece / 1 piece orange peel

1 piece / 1 piece glacé cherry

Ingredients at a glance

Adjust quantities to your preferred serving size.
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Instructions

Main

Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Fill the shaker with a handful of ice and shake until very cold.

Strain the drink into a lowball or Old Fashioned glass.

Serve with fresh ice, garnished with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry.

Other considerations for this recipe

Measurement Conversion

To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce equals 2 tablespoons.

Sweetness Adjustment

Adjust the sweetness level to fit your taste; maple syrup can be substituted for simple syrup to add subtle caramel notes.

Nutritional Benefits

Provides a small amount of Vitamin C from fresh lemon juice.

Contains antioxidants from the whiskey aging process.

Simple syrup provides a quick source of energy.

Lemon juice can help stimulate digestive enzymes.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Instruction image unavailable for this step.

Whiskey Sour

Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

From the Blog All Contributions

The Timeless Appeal of the Whiskey Sour

Yum User

4 May 2026

Bourbon provides a rich, vanilla-heavy foundation that transforms this drink into a true classic. By shaking the spirit with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, you create a vibrant tension between the sharp acidity and the mellow sweetness of the corn-based whiskey.

Mastering the Balance

I find that the real joy in preparing this cocktail is tailoring the sweetness to your own liking. For those seeking a deeper, more autumnal flavour, swapping the simple syrup for maple syrup introduces lovely caramel notes that pair beautifully with the citrus. Pouring the chilled mixture over fresh ice and finishing it with a bright orange peel and a cherry adds that polished touch. It is a straightforward process that delivers a sophisticated result, making it a wonderful addition to any home bar collection.

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