The sour family has many members in its mix, but there is none like the classic whiskey sour. If you’ve been meaning to give this recipe a shot, we’ll help you do it right.
Learn how to make whiskey sours that will make even those who don’t like whiskey order reach for another round!
Whiskey Sour Recipe Overview
The whiskey sour is a fairly simple cocktail that doesn’t require a lot of fuss. The original recipe, which was sometimes called the Boston Sour, called for egg white. Now, it’s commonly made without it in many bars all over the world.
Still, the egg white helps bring all the other ingredients together, so we recommend trying this easy whiskey sour recipe as it was initially created.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 ounces of egg white
- 1/2 ounces of simple syrup
- 3/4 ounces of fresh lemon juice (or sour mix)
- Angostura bitters (for garnish)
Mixing Instructions
- Add all your ingredients (apart from the garnish) to a shaker.
- Shake the ingredients without ice for around 30 seconds.
- Add ice and shake again for another 20 to 30 seconds.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass with ice.
- Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters on top and serve.
Cocktail Nutritional Facts
The classic whiskey sour recipe is a low-calorie drink. However, some variations use different types of sweeteners, such as maple syrup, which can make it more calorie-heavy.
If you use simple syrup, you’ll get around 160 calories per drink. Here are other nutrition facts to know:
- Sodium: 3%
- Carbs: 5% (13.6g)
- Protein: 0.1g
- Vitamin C: 3%
- ABV: 14%
Serving Tips to Try
Here are some things that can help elevate the whiskey sour recipe:
- Whiskey quality: The traditional recipe uses bourbon, which has that signature sweet and spicy flavor profile. We recommend opting for a top-shelf bottle if you want your cocktail to make an impression. But if you don’t like bourbon, you can also use Irish whiskey.
- Pre-mixing considerations: If you want to serve the whiskey sour during a party and make a punch, it’s best to skip the egg whites, as they can separate and result in an unpleasant cocktail. Use the egg white version for a smaller get-together where you have the time to mix it properly.
- Food pairing ideas: Whiskey sours work well with desserts. The whiskey-lemon juice mix is ideal for enjoying cheesecake or chocolate desserts, but you can also serve it with seafood or fish meals.
Whiskey Sour Variations
There are many other sour cocktails you might enjoy:
- Scotch Sour: Skip the bourbon and use your favorite bottle of Scotch instead. Every other ingredient stays the same.
- New York Sour: Add some red wine after you’ve mixed your whiskey sour to get a vibrant new cocktail with strong fruity notes.
- Gin Sour: Skip the spicy notes for something herbal by using gin instead of whiskey for a lighter drink.
- Vodka Sour: With a neutral flavor profile, the Vodka Sour lets you taste the full appeal of the lemon juice and simple syrup combo. It’s like lemonade for adults!
You can also try to adapt the whiskey sour cocktail to your liking.
For example, you can skip the aromatic bitters and garnish your cocktail with a maraschino cherry instead. Or use fruit syrups instead of simple syrup for beautiful extra layers.
Conclusion
The key to a great whisky sour is in your cocktail shaker. By letting it do its job (with a good shake), the wet and dry ingredients come together to create a silky-smooth drink.
Refreshing and tart, this classic cocktail is sure to become a favorite!
