Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe
A classic whiskey sour made with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a balanced 2:1:1 ratio. Shake it cold and serve over fresh ice in about 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails, Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Whiskey Sour
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (seeds removed)
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1/2 orange wheel (for garnish)
- 1 strip orange peel (for garnish)
- 1 maraschino cherry (for garnish)
- ice (as needed)
Instructions
- Prep the Lemon Juice a fresh lemon to yield 1 ounce, removing any seeds.
- Prepare the Orange Cut a thin strip of orange peel. Slice the orange into rounds and reserve half a wheel for garnish.
- Chill the Glass Fill a rocks glass with ice to chill while you make the cocktail.
- Combine Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake Fill the shaker with ice, leaving enough room to shake comfortably. Seal and shake vigorously until the outside is cold, about 15 to 20 seconds.
- Strain Discard the ice from the chilled glass and add fresh ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish Garnish with the orange half-wheel and maraschino cherry. Hold the orange peel over the drink and gently press to release the oils, then drop it into the glass or discard. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutions: Rye whiskey gives a drier, spicier profile. Bottled lemon juice works if necessary, though fresh tastes better. Honey syrup or maple syrup can replace simple syrup and will change the sweetness and depth.
Serving: Serve immediately while well chilled. Pair with salty snacks, grilled meats, or fried appetizers.
Storage: Best prepared fresh. The liquid mixture without ice can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours; shake with ice before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 17
- Fat: 0.1
- Saturated Fat: 0.01
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 0.2