Whiskey Sour

A classic whiskey sour is one of the easiest classic cocktails to master. Made with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and the occasional egg white, the drink delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and boozy. It’s just as fitting for happy hour as it is for holiday gatherings. The best whiskey sour recipes hinge on freshly squeezed lemon juice and shaking the cocktail well with plenty of ice until thoroughly chilled. Fresh citrus gives the drink its bright, refreshing flavor, while bourbon adds notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice. Serve over fresh ice with an orange wheel and a cocktail cherry for the classic finishing touch. Whiskey Sour FAQs Shouldn’t a whiskey sour have egg white? It’s up to you. Egg white gives a whiskey sour a silkier texture and foamy top, but it also softens the drink’s bright citrus flavor. If you’d like to use it, add one egg white for every two cocktails and dry shake (shake all the ingredients before adding ice), then shake again over ice. Editor’s note: Raw egg is not recommended for infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems...or people who don’t like raw eggs. What’s the best bourbon for a whiskey sour? A balanced, approachable bourbon works best in a whiskey sour. In Bon Appétit’s bourbon taste test, Bulleit Bourbon stood out as an especially good choice for whiskey sours thanks to its caramel, vanilla, and peppery notes. Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Elijah Craig, and Wild Turkey 101 are also solid options if you prefer a different style. Can I make a whiskey sour without simple syrup? Simple syrup is the easiest sweetener because it dissolves instantly in your shaker, but you can also use maple syrup or honey thinned with an equal portion of water. Each will give the cocktail a slightly different flavor. For the easiest simple syrup, combine equal parts cold water and granulated sugar in a blender and blend on high until the sugar is dissolved. Store leftover syrup in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. What’s the difference between a whiskey sour and a New York Sour? A New York Sour starts with a classic whiskey sour and is finished with a float of dry red wine, which adds fruity complexity and creates its signature layered look. Try it: What you’ll need Cocktail Picks $5 At Amazon Cocktail Shaker $20 At Amazon Hawthorne Strainer $7 At Amazon Citrus Juicer $13 At Amazon 1.25" Silicone Ice Cube Tray $15 At Amazon Recipe information Total Time 2 minutes Yield Makes 1 Ingredients 2 ¾ ¾ ½ Need to make a substitution? Preparation Step 1 Combine 2 oz. bourbon, ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice, and ¾ oz. simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds. Step 2 Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon into an old-fashioned or rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with ½ orange wheel and a maraschino cherry threaded onto a cocktail pick. Editor’s note: This whiskey sour recipe was first printed in our May 2016 issue; it has been updated for style. Head this way for more of our best bourbon cocktails →