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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. After the first sip 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 a drink that’ll have your friends and family asking for the recipe every 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 is using fresh lemon juice (not 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, though 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 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!
5 Star Reader 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 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 I like 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. I prefer a whiskey sour with ¾ oz syrup, which lets the whiskey flavor shine. But if you like a sweeter cocktail, use up to 1 oz syrup.
Choosing the Best Whiskey
In my experience, the bourbon you choose makes all the difference. I usually reach for mid-priced bottles in the $25 to $35 range (save the expensive stuff for sipping neat or on the rocks).
My go-to whiskeys are Elijah Craig Small Batch, Four Roses Small Batch, or Woodford Reserve. For special occasions, I like Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon, which has vanilla and spice notes. I’ve also experimented with rye whiskey for a stronger, spicier finish (though I’ve found I prefer bourbon in a sour).
You can change the type of whiskey to create variations on this drink: a Buchanan Sour with Scotch, the Penicillin with Scotch and ginger honey syrup, an Irish Sour with Irish whiskey, and a Ward 8 with rye whiskey, orange and grenadine.
A Note on the Sweetener
Most bartenders use simple syrup to sweeten drinks, but I’ve found that pure maple syrup has a more complex sweetness. The natural caramel notes in maple syrup complement bourbon and add depth to a drink (and no, it doesn’t taste like actual maple!).
I’ve done side-by-side taste tests with family and friends, and maple syrup wins every time! The difference is subtle, but it makes a good whiskey sour into a great one.
Whiskey Sour Mix for a Crowd
If you’re looking to serve whiskey sours for a crowd, try my Whiskey Sour Mix! 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, then add 2 cups whiskey.
- To make a single drink: Measure out 3 ½ tablespoons of the mix with 4 tablespoons whiskey.
Popular Whiskey Sour Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, there are so many variations on this bourbon cocktail. I especially love the New York Sour, which floats red wine on top for a beautiful two-toned drink. The Gold Rush is another fun spin that uses honey syrup instead of maple.
In fall and winter, I like my Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour or an Amaretto Whiskey Sour. And if you’re feeling adventurous, my Whiskey Sour with Egg White has a silky foam top.
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
Master 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 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey (I 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. I 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.
Favorite for our get togethers with family and friends. We make it by the pitcher!
Loved your receipes.
Have you tried the Whiskey Sour with your Hot Honey recipe?
No, but I like where you’re going with this!
Don’t know how you 2 have done this ? But there must be some Very Special Chemistry going on ! 🫨
Way to go ! 😎
How many days will a batch keep in the fridge? Traveling, but would like to make ahead and bring
Good question! The mix keeps 1 week in the refrigerator — the flavor is best in first 24 hours, but it’s still good at a week.
Sa your AWESOME COCKTAIL recipes and they are just that, awesome..Had a birthday recently and had ppl over, big 60, n I wanted to use my new cocktail set I got, along with 4 bottles of bourbon, Barrell Bourbon 32, Barrell Bourbon Vantage, Barrell Bourbon Amidia and my go to Elijah Craig 1792 and we started with sipping and then I said wait let’s try some cocktails from this site, so we did the usual, my go to, The Old Fadhion, love yours but I did a twist to it, I mulled 2 cocktail cherries into your recipe and did a double strain for each and well, 5 stars my guest said, so after 2 or 3 of those I said let’s do one of the old time faves, whiskey sour, and for this I used Elijah Craig, it just seemed better since Barrell is higher in proof. So I pulled up your recipes and started with the normal, then I got a little twisty, 1 I did with the basic but plain simple syrup then twist #1 I did fresh mint mulled then shaken, LOVED IT they did. So 2 or 3 each later we did another twist, did the honey recipe but, and I hope you all don’t laugh, I did black raspberries mulled…yup I did. So after this one, everyone said DAM….I will say this wow. The flavors…this site and the recipes you have are awesome and i love adding twist to drinks, and so do my freinds…so thanks for the recipes and I will for sure use them. I have a lot of Eagle Rare and Barrell Bourbon 34 and 33 to use…thank you..
Haha! That sounds great with black raspberries!
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 🍁
This is totally amazing ,I never seen this kind of before any other website so thankful to a couple cooks.
A new favorite! Thanks for the recipe.
This drink is becoming so popular in Spain! Never heard of it before and now more and more places do it. Can’t wait to try, thanks for the recipe!
Stunning
Excellent and simple recipe. Ingenious with Vermont maple syrup! Had a somewhat pineapple aftertaste.
I made an addition you might want to try. Added about 1 Tbsp of a very good apricot jam. Made drink “rounder” to the mouth, and flavors sequenced nicely.
Ellzabeth’s Apricot Jam, Locally grown Blenheim apricots, Orchard Heritage Park, 560 East Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087. 408-891-1753. (I’m just a very satisfied customer)
We’ll have to try it! And thanks for the recommendation.
Wow!! Mind blown! Thank you so much for this recipe. I had to call my mom and my mother-in-law about this recipe. We are cooking the stock right now and I’ll make homemade Best Whiskey Sour Recipe to go with it. Way to go!
I’ve made a drink I called a “whiskey sour” in the past, but it basically was just two parts lime juice to one part whiskey. I thought I would try the “official” version with lemon and simple syrup instead.
About 30 years ago on military assignment, I frequented Vaquero’s (Cowboy’s) Bar in Comayagua, Honduras. The bartender always had a pitcher of lemonade for gin and lemonade. I liked it.
As I was squeezing the lemon and making the simple syrup, it dawned on me. This is a “whiskey and lemonade”. I made it with Jameson Irish whiskey, and it was pretty good. I’m not sure if I like it better with lime juice and no added sweetener. I may have to make both at the same time and do a taste test.
PERFECT.
Thank you!
Seriously the best whiskey sour recipe I’ve ever tried! The maple syrup is what makes it so amazing. It pairs well with the oak in the bourbon.
Love the Whiskey Sour recipe. I had no cherries so I go without. The only problem with this recipe is that it is so good, I am now out of Bourbon!
It’s a real problem! :)
Tried this recipe and it was delicious! I might tweak the amount of maple syrup just a tad, but I much prefer the maple syrup to simple syrup – great substitute!
Someone on my favorite TV show always drinks whiskey sours (I know, I’m impressionable…) so when I was at a bar a few months back I tried one and it was awful. I guess it was made with sweet and sour mix or something. Well that, plus I don’t like mixed drinks ~ I’m a straight bourbon guy, period. But I found your recipe and decided to give it a try this afternoon, and wow! This is one cocktail I’m going to be drinking when Saturday afternoon rolls around. I’ve already shared this blog with our daughter who actually DOES like cocktails.
Haha! So glad you loved it :)
Omg! This truly is the easiest, most wonderful sour I’ve enjoyed. Hands down, the maple syrup beats simple syrup by far and IS ON HAND. I love a whiskey sour, but do not want to stand around making simple syrup and don’t drink often enough to batch make it.
I used half lemon juice and half key lime. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
So glad you enjoyed it!
OMG I’m drinking my dinner tonight. Sooo yummy.
Have made this 4 times in the last week, my husband enjoyed it so much he went out and bought a dozen lemons so that we don’t run out :) thank you for a simple and delicious cocktail! We are excited to try the New York Sour next!
Delicious and easy recipe! Thanks! Enjoying one (okay, maybe 2) while making dinner for the fam on a cold night in Minneapolis. Hope all are well in Indiana!
SO,I doubt you’ve heard this before but, “how ’bout that shot’?? Sweet.!Made the recipe, I prefer shaken to stirred but makes difficult with ice…drinking anyhow!
Just repeating everyone else, but WOW what amazing photos!
Haha, thank you! And thanks everyone else!
Wow, that photo is AMAZING! One of the best blog photos I’ve ever seen (probably THE best!).
Wow, thank you! Makes all those times of dropping the ice cube worth it :)
I reeeeallly love these photos. Awesome job.
Wow! First of, I LOVE the pictures! I also like the idea of using honey to sweeten the cocktail. Another option (all natural and tasty) would be to use Organic Maple Syrup (which I ofter use as a sweetener: it is healthier and gives a delicious taste to recipes). (I not it is hard to find but I get mine online with Rouge Maple)
Thanks! Sounds like a great idea – I’ve never thought of adding maple syrup. Thanks for the idea!
You want to talk pretty drinks with a hint of nature, check this out: http://blondegourmand.com/lavender-vodka-tonic/#
Looks awesome, and I have some lavender blooming in the garden right now!
That is a damn good shot!
I’m not a drinker, but that first picture is sure amazing! I saw it on FoodGawker, and had to come check it out! Very nice!
That first image is amazing!!! I also love your update to this classic recipe. My fiance is a huge fan of whiskey sours, so I will have to try your updated version on him.
I was JUST thinking on my way to work today (don’t ask) that I would like to try a whiskey sour that isn’t made with nasty sour mix from a bottle. Yum. Thanks!
What a wonderful photo! You should sell it! I know I definitely would like that up on my wall :)
Haha, well now you’ve got us thinking! We’ll let you know :)
Great photo! We, too, love a good whiskey sour and nothing compares to making your own sour mix. We started making it last year, after a friend reintroduced us to the drink. Will never go back. Cheers!
Um, to repeat: Amazing photo! I agree with Joe even though I’ve never seen his glass!
Yay for me having everything I need for one of these in my kitchen and at 5:30 I’m going to concoct one! Thanks!
Whisky sour has always been one of my favorite drinks! Love that your version is zesty and naturally sweetened. Great flavor and your pictures are gorgeous!
What an amazing picture!!!!! And I love this updated classic recipe!
The shot is stunning! Almost want to try whiskey! Meaah…
I’m not much of a whiskey fan (except with Coke) but had to see the recipe just to get a closer look at the picture. It’s awesome!
I think I’ll be plunking glasses of lemonade on our table to get a similar shot :).
Holy cow…that photo is amazing. Looks like it is right out of a magazine add! Way to go. Drink looks tasty, too. Think I might have to pick up some honey on the way home.
What an amazing photo!! You two are simply awesome :) Joe may need some more honey and less whiskey though…….
Love that you used honey to sweeten the whiskey sour! Great idea :)
Incredible shot! This recipe reminds me of a cold hot toddy. I love that you used natural ingredients to sweeten it!
Thank you! And, I love the thought of a cold hot toddy – haha! If that’s not already a drink, someone should bring that back :)
Alex, oh Alex.
How long have you know me? I had hair then, so it’s been a while. I hate to publically correct you, but son, you have NEVER been more wrong.
Have you seen my glass? THIS WILL ONLY MAKE 1 drink–NOT 2!!
I can’t wait to taste the Alex/Sonja version of my favorite drink. You better double the recipe if I have to share. Thank you!
Joe ” regarding Marilyn, once a H%+, always a H%+” the evil stepfather.
Haha! I was worried that if I made the portions Joe-sized, the readers would start acting like you…
p.s. Tastes best with Preble Twp’s own Rekeweg Honey.
Great whiskey sour. Goes great with my distillery bourbon and might be great with our Tennessee Whiskey “As smooth as Tennessee Whiskey”
Definitely your best photo of all time :) I think Ben might even need a print of that one for his office…
Haha! Thanks. I think winkflash is having a canvas sale this week… :)
Oh my beautiful! Awesome shot!
Wow, that first shot is stunning! Really stopped me in my tracks (and made me crave a whiskey sour…)
Love the natural ingredients in this.
Thanks! I figured there had to be some way they made whiskey sours before HFCS was invented…