Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add all ingredients to shaker without ice
Dry shake vigorously for 10 seconds
Add ice and shake again for 15 seconds
Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
Garnish with lemon wheel and cherry
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Fresh lemon wheel and maraschino cherry
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Dry shake hard before adding ice to build foam
Fresh lemon juice and quality whiskey make the drink
Fine‑strain to remove ice chips for a smooth head
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Whiskey Sour.
New York Sour
Whiskey sour crowned with a red wine float—bourbon or rye, lemon, and simple with a claret cap.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
Ward Eight
Boston's most significant contribution to classic cocktail canon, a robust and nuanced riff on the Whiskey Sour. This testament to Gilded Age political history balances the spicy character of rye whiskey against bright citrus and the subtle complexity of real pomegranate grenadine.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.
Other Variations
2:1:1 Classic
Sweeter early ratio emphasizing lemon and sugar.
Changes
Drier Sour
Uses only 1/2 oz syrup for a sharper, whiskey-forward profile.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Sours trace back to 18th‑century naval grog, but the Whiskey Sour entered print in Jerry Thomas's 1862 *Bartender's Guide* using bourbon, lemon and sugar. By the early 1900s bartenders were adding egg white for texture and switching to simple syrup. Prohibition and bottled sour mix dulled the drink's reputation, yet the late‑20th‑century cocktail revival restored the fresh 2‑:¾‑:¾ formula as a benchmark of balance.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
Amaretto Sour
Jeffrey Morgenthaler's modernized sour builds cask-strength bourbon into amaretto, lemon and rich syrup for a silky, nutty treat.
Brandy Sour
A smooth, citrusy sour—brandy shaken with lemon, simple syrup, and optional egg white for a velvety cap.