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A clear glass filled with a creamy, light beige cocktail topped with a frothy foam. A lemon peel garnish floats on top of the foam. The drink is set against a plain, light grey background.
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Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe

Whiskey sour – one of the most popular cocktails in the world. The combination of bourbon, lemon juice and sugar are so simple, but yet it meets all the requirements of a cocktail.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cocktail, whiskey
Servings: 1 yields
Calories: 183kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Whisky/Bourbon
  • 1 ounce Lemon juice
  • 1/2-3/4 ounce Simple syrup
  • ½ egg white optional
  • Ice
  • For garnish: Angostura bitters
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • 1. Into a shaker place whisky, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white and shake for 15-20 seconds.
  • 2. Add ice cubes and shake for another 15-20 seconds.
  • 3. Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon into an old-fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice.
  • 4. Garnish with 3 or 4 drops of Angostura bitters.
  • 5. Serve!
  • 6. Optional: serve with lemon peel and maraschino cherry

Video

Notes

  • Watch the Video Recipe – For a better understanding of the recipe, I recommend watching the step-by-step video tutorial.
  • Check the FAQs – If you have any questions about ingredient substitutions, tips and serving suggestions, be sure to check the FAQs section located under the recipe card and the post above.
  • Use fresh lemon juice – The lemon juice is a key ingredient in a whisky sour, so it's important to use fresh juice rather than bottled juice. Bottled juice can have a strange taste and won't give your cocktail the same fresh, tangy flavor as fresh juice.
  • Different types of whisky – The type of whisky you use can greatly affect the flavor of your whisky sour. Try using different types of whisky (such as bourbon, rye, or scotch) to see which you like best.
  • Adjust the sweetness to your taste – Some people like their whisky sours on the sweeter side, while others prefer them to be more tart. You can adjust the sweetness of your cocktail by adding more or less sugar (or using a different sweetener such as maple syrup).
  • Don't skip the egg white – Some people are hesitant to use egg white in their whisky sours, but it's actually a key ingredient. It helps to give the cocktail a nice frothy texture and also helps to balance out the flavors.
  • Get the right proportions – The traditional proportions for a whisky sour are 2 parts whisky, 1 part lemon juice, and 1 part sugar. You can adjust these proportions to your taste, but this is a good starting point.
  • Garnishes – Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, or with lemon twists, or fresh herbs.
  • Tip for Serving – Served in a chilled glass, with or without ice.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg