Whiskey Sour
A delicious cocktail that comes together with 3 simple quality ingredients – what could be better? This well-made whiskey sour recipe hits the spot every time and is a classic drink we’ll be making all fall long.
Whiskey sours are by no means a new cocktail, the first printed recipe was by Jerry Thomas and published in The Bartender’s Guide back in 1862. Who knew one of our favorite drinks had such a lengthy history?!
Why we love this recipe
- This classic cocktail is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of tart flavor.
- It is a simple recipe that also feels elevated.
- Honestly, what’s not to love?
Ingredients at a glance
- Bullet Rye Whiskey – after thoroughly testing this recipe over the years we have found that this is the best whiskey for a classic whiskey sour cocktail, we just love the flavor notes that come through. You can always use your preferred whiskey or what you have on hand if needed.
- Fresh-squeezed lemon juice – this is important and should not be substituted with sour mix.
- Simple syrup – you can find quality simple syrup at any grocery store or liquor store.
- Amarena cherries – not to be confused with a maraschino cherry. Amarena cherries are dark in color and rich in flavor and the perfect way to garnish this great whiskey sour.
How to make whiskey sours
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add your whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and plain simple syrup to the cocktail shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 1 minute.
- Serve in a rocks glass with one large ball or cube of ice.
- Garnish with an amarena cherry, or three 🙂
Frequently asked questions
- What is a whiskey sour made of? A proper whiskey sour contains whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. From there though the variations are endless.
- What whiskey is best for a whiskey sour? My personal favorite is Bullet rye. Using a rye whiskey adds more flavor and spice than a bourbon.
- What is the difference between a whiskey sour and an old fashioned? Whiskey sours are more refreshing and lighter with the addition of lemon juice and simple syrup which balances the warmth of the whiskey. An old fashioned is a much stronger and more whiskey-forward cocktail.
Whiskey sour variations
There are two ways I like to make variations of this simple cocktail. First, you can get creative with the sour element, fresh juice is always key but you could swap out the lemon juice and instead use lime juice which would result in a zestier version of a whiskey sour. Some cocktail recipes incorporate orange juice but I feel like this can interfere with the sweetness of the drink so I would recommend sticking with a more tart fresh citrus juice. Secondly, you can change what you use to sweeten your whiskey sour, maple syrup could replace the simple syrup and will add more warmth to the flavor profile. Or you could replace the simple syrup with the syrup that the amarena cherries are in adding a rosy glow to your whiskey sour and an extra boost of that rich cherry flavor.
Recipe for 2 Glasses
- 8 ounces of whiskey – preferably Bullet rye
- 3 ounces of fresh lemon juice
- 2 ounces of simple syrup
- amarena cherries for garnish
- ice
- cocktail shaker
If you want something on the sweeter side try my Prickly Pear Margarita or Espresso Martini for a late night pick-me-up!
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Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 8 oz Whiskey
- 3 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Simple Syrup
- Amarena Cherry Garnish
Instructions
- Pour Whiskey, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup in cocktail shaker. Dry shake for 10 seconds
- Pour a scoop of ice in the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds
- pour evenly into 2 glasses with or without ice and garnish with amarena cherries
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.