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You are here: Home / Friday Cocktails / Bourbon / A Classic Whiskey Sour

A Classic Whiskey Sour

September 22, 2017 69 Comments

The Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail is Garnished with Lemon and Cherry
A Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail Served in a Martini Glass

The Classic Whiskey Sour is truly classic and it’s easy too. Forget the sour mix and try this recipe with lemon and simple syrup…it’s perfect!

Classic Whiskey Sour

I so wanted to share this Whiskey Sour cocktail with you again today. It’s here…Fall that is. It starts this afternoon and I thought it fitting to start if off with a transitional cocktail; one that I first put on this blog 6 years ago. Were any of you reading this blog 6 years ago?!! Really? Then you’ll appreciate the new photos…it was time; maybe past time! 🙂

What makes it transitional? First; there’s bourbon. While I will use bourbon occasionally in the summer combined with fruit…it’s far more likely to find it’s way into a cocktail made during cooler weather. The color and the flavor seem to evoke different emotions and this simple yet elegant cocktail are the perfect representation for a change in seasons. Just a bit of tart and sweet combined with Bourbon Whiskey and you’ve got a classic.

I’ve written about other classic cocktails; especially the Manhattan, and I won’t deny that experience had me start thinking about other cocktails of my parents generation and this was one that came to mind. I can see why it’s maintained it’s popularity; it’s an elegant combination of ingredients and certainly beyond simple to make.

Many people might concoct this particular cocktail using a ‘sour’ mix but those too often use artificially flavored ingredients. This is such an easy drink to prepare and the use of fresh lemon juice really is key to it being a great cocktail. I’ve never been one to buy pre-made mixes; there is just no way they can compare with fresh juice and simple syrup combinations.

The recipe itself was first written down in the 1862 book The Bartender’s Guide by Jerry Thomas even though the basic recipe was known for over a century prior. Professional sailors suffered from scurvy and other malnutrition and sea-sicknesses until a  hero named Vice Admiral Edward Vernon of England began mixing a few ingredients together to serve to his crew.

To prevent scurvy, sailors had a ration of citrus like lemons and lime and the alcohol in liquor made it safe to drink. To prevent a ship full of intoxicated shipmates, the liquor, usually rum once it was discovered, was watered down and either lemon or lime was added for the health benefit. Hence, a very early version of the Sour.

The sailors eventually brought this concept to shore and the basics of the sour cocktail were refined to what we know today. Jerry Thomas ultimately refined and published his guide using whiskey which Americans seemed to prefer and the rest is history.

A combination of bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup is shaken together with ice. The egg white was actually added later to made for a creamy, frothy element to the cocktail and it is optional, especially for those who might have a weakened immune system, including the elderly.

Classic Whiskey Sour

The list of ingredients is simply; too simple to have to rely on shortcuts. A prepared sour mix will never be as good as the real deal; some simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. All you need for The Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail are the following: (Full recipe with instructions are at bottom of page).

  • 2 ounces of bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup (See Notes)
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons of egg white (optional)
  • lemon wedge and maraschino cherry garnish

As simple as the cocktail is; the trickiest part of mixing this drink is adjusting the ratio of sour (the lemon) to sweet (the sugar) to get a flavor balance that pleases you. The proportions in this recipe suited my tastes perfectly in that they are not overly sweet. If you prefer a slightly sweeter cocktail, just add a bit more of the simple syrup.

If I recall, my parents served this in a lowball cocktail glass over ice and that’s what you’ll most often see but I just wanted something a bit fancier so a martini glass it was and it’s beautiful isn’t it? Enjoy…and cheers!

PIN IT! ‘A Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail’

 A Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail Served in a Martini Glass

Classic Whiskey Sour
Print

A Classic Whiskey Sour

There is a reason some cocktails are classic and the whiskey sour is a good example; just as good today as when it was first created.
Course Bourbon
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Author Creative Culinary

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces of bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup See Notes
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons of egg white optional
  • lemon wedge and maraschino cherry garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake well for 20 seconds. Add at least a cup of ice and shake for another 20 seconds.
  2. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice and garnish with the lemon wedge and maraschino cherry on a skewer.

Recipe Notes

To Make Simple Syrup: Mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water over medium heat in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved; remove from heat and cool before using in cocktails.


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Comments

  1. Fakangsuda says

    October 9, 2019 at 5:04 am

    If i look at this picture. seem delezius. but I don’t drink whiskey
    Reply
  2. Asep supriatna says

    August 1, 2018 at 2:21 am

    drinks I like
    Reply
  3. Asep supriatna says

    July 26, 2018 at 4:38 am

    may i ask for a glass, would drink
    Reply
  4. piXasa says

    April 30, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    Emmmmmmm, delicious .. hehe !!! But i’m never ,,, drink some whisky …!!!
    Reply
  5. De nature info says

    March 27, 2018 at 9:33 am

    Whiskey Sours have to be one of my top favorites of all time.
    Reply
    • Barb says

      March 27, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      I love them too and they are SO easy to make...always a plus!
      Reply
  6. nadia q says

    February 24, 2018 at 3:28 am

    Whiskey Sours seems to be very refreshing, and as you say-not too sweet. Usually many people love it.
    Reply
  7. bangecul says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Drinks make me refreshing and thirsty
    Reply
  8. Sabrina S.B. says

    September 25, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    thank you for reminding me of this cocktail! Haven't had one in years, so am pleased for your sharing this!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      September 26, 2017 at 7:11 am

      You're welcome. The classics are just that and I have to do more of them. This is one of my absolute favorites!
      Reply
  9. Sel says

    September 24, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    very nice...plz tell me where the skewer came from....i have been searching. another drink to try is the Lynchburg lemonade...awesome! even easier to make and leaves one breathless....
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      September 25, 2017 at 6:13 pm

      I get asked about them a lot but they're no longer available. I have searched for them but any stores I find with their photo indicate they are no longer available. I wish I had some...I could sell them every day! :)
      Reply
  10. asman says

    August 17, 2017 at 9:10 am

    I always wondered what makes the sour sour. Duh. It’s just lemon juice. wow best recipes
    Reply
  11. hargaprinterbrother says

    March 17, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    so delicious when i'm look thats drink first. after read the posting , i wanna to make this too :)
    Reply
  12. grafis-media says

    September 17, 2016 at 10:27 am

    woahhhhhhh,,,, delicious .. hehe !!! i'm never ,,, drink whisky ...!!! what it's like ?
    Reply
  13. palucomputer says

    August 4, 2016 at 11:31 am

    your drink makes me thirsty :D
    Reply
  14. Dendy says

    June 24, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Nice design tips
    Reply
  15. tutorial89 says

    April 20, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    If i look at this picture. seem delezius. but I don't drink whiskey....
    Reply
  16. Jen Lang says

    February 22, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    You nailed it on the head with balancing the sweet and sour contrasts... mmm, when you get it right, there's nothing that tops a good whiskey sour for me!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      February 23, 2013 at 8:37 am

      Such a great cocktail is too often ruined with premixed sweet and sour mix. It's SO easy isn't it to just juice a lemon! I love them too; I'm gonna love some tomorrow night during the Oscars too!
      Reply
  17. Sarah says

    December 4, 2012 at 5:41 am

    I can't wait to try this cocktail recipe out, I don't like it straight but I love mixing it with other drinks to make unique tastes. I would recommend buying whiskey online as there are websites out there who do really good deals.
    Reply
  18. Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    How I wish I had the ingredients for this cocktail right now. Sounds incredible. (as usual)
    Reply
  19. Beverlee Berry says

    May 23, 2012 at 8:46 am

    my first drink ever many, many years ago was a whiskey sour, it came in a very small glass and always had a cherry and orange on a toothpick, and was foamy. I have tried them at all kinds of restaurants and they bear NO resemblence to the ones of old, help whats going on guess no one drinks them anymore, always thought they were a good little drink.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      May 23, 2012 at 8:58 am

      That foamy part is from the egg whites! I prefer them made at home; a lot of restaurants use a mix for the sour element and I prefer using fresh juice...you should try making them; they are so good!
      Reply
  20. Melissa says

    March 25, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    Can't wait to kick off the new season of Mad Men with this tonight. Cheers!
    Reply
  21. Lékué says

    March 21, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Hi there! Just a quick note to let you know we are running a cocktail contest on our Facebook page. Feel free to enter with one of your delicious and original recipes! The best one gets a prize! Entries open until March 25th 2012. http://www.fb.com/LekueWorld
    Reply
  22. Adryon says

    March 13, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Oh Barb, this looks so lovely. After such a crap day I would kill for the perfect whiskey sour. Beautiful!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      Shoot sweetie...wish you were closer; I would have one in your hand in a heartbeat! Feel better.
      Reply
    • Ibenk says

      December 5, 2012 at 11:56 pm

      Thanks again for the hookup on this. It was great meeitng you and R. I'm sure we'll bump into each other again at another Pharmacie party. BTW, my article won't be in print till Oct. since the mag is a bi-monthly.
      Reply
  23. foodwanderings says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Honestly Barb, I would not know a whiskey sour from a Manhattan and I am getting quite an education here. Love this series, I can learn and pretend to be sophisticated! :)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:18 pm

      Trust me I am learning some things on the way too...I'm enjoying the 'classic' series; trying cocktails that were my parents favorites back when I was only drinking a Shirley Temple. :)
      Reply
  24. Laura says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I've got a bottle of unopened bourbon at home, and until now I had no idea about what I was going to do with it. Until now......cool drink!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Perfectly good idea Laura...it is classic and I think should be more popular!
      Reply
  25. Julie says

    March 13, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Yummy! That's what I'd call delicious! It could be the main attraction on my birthday party next week, thanks for the inspiration!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Well, whatever you choose to be your main attraction Julie...I hope it's a fun birthday celebration. Cheers!
      Reply
  26. Jeanette @ This Dusty Kitchen says

    March 12, 2012 at 11:15 am

    I think I would love this and it does sound surprisingly simple to make. I love your notes about 'Why Shake?'!
    Reply
  27. Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:55 am

    This looks so perfect Barb!
    Reply
  28. Amanda says

    March 11, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    Barbara I can only imagine the fun you must have putting these posts together! I'm not a huge spirits drinker, but you always make these cocktails look very desirable.
    Reply
  29. Terra says

    March 11, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    I love the pictures, it makes me want a sip right about now:-) Your whiskey sour sounds delicious! Hugs, Terra
    Reply
  30. Donna says

    March 11, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    I used to love Amaretto sours. Thanks for reminding me. I need to stir up something new, I think!
    Reply
  31. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    March 11, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I love a good whiskey sour and one that is made with fresh ingredients is always the best!
    Reply
  32. Lorraine @ Figs and Artichokes says

    March 11, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Love a classic cocktail. I have been ordering Sidecars recently, but this may be my next regular order.
    Reply
  33. Elizabeth says

    March 10, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    Probably my favourite drink of all, basic, simple and elegantly delicious!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:13 pm

      You can not deny too that it absolutely packs a bit of a punch...there is no denying the bourbon in this drink is there? Cheers!
      Reply
  34. Daisy@Nevertoosweet says

    March 10, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    Nice drink :) Never had a Whiskey Sour think it's time I drank more hehe and I really need to get some martini glasses ~
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:12 pm

      You can also made this is a plain short highball glass too; I did the martini just because I thought it was pretty. :)
      Reply
  35. Danijela says

    March 10, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Hello, this is wonderful. I didn't know that egg white is one of ingredients, so I am surprised. Thanks for this recipe, I like it. :)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:12 pm

      I tried it first without the egg white and I did like it a bit better with a bit of froth...but the flavor is the same either way. Cheers!
      Reply
  36. vianney says

    March 10, 2012 at 12:03 am

    fresh kemon juice is the way to go. I would love to try this at home with the egg white. stunning pics, lovely!!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks Vianny...it makes ALL the difference; I can not imagine buying a dry or even a bottle of mix when this is so dang simple. Cheers!
      Reply
  37. Lora ~ cakeduchess says

    March 9, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    I've only seen a Whiskey Sour in a highball glass but love the classy martini glass. And that shot where you can look right into the glass is very cool and very tempting! You cocktail temptress, you!;)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:09 pm

      My parents used to just make them in a short glass so I guess the moral of this story is...they are good in any glass!
      Reply
  38. Chez Us says

    March 9, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Great minds think alike. I have been meaning to write about Whiskey Sours for the past year, after a friend in Boston reintroduced them to us. Love them! I just posted a version this morning too! Yours looks delicious and I send a cheers your way!
    Reply
  39. Paula says

    March 9, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    The *old* stuff is always classic. Beautiful photos of a wonderful cocktail. Congratulations with the partnership with Liquor.com Barb. I love your cocktail skewer!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 13, 2012 at 8:04 pm

      Thanks Paula...I'm so glad I found the skewer! I have pulled so much stuff into my dining room where I take photos and I couldn't find them. Duh...it was still in the drawer of my actual bar area!
      Reply
  40. Rich says

    March 9, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Gotta love a whiskey sour
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      Well, I do now but that first sip I imbibed as a kid thinking I was sneaking my mom's lemonade? Well, I'm pretty sure I spit it out on her. :)
      Reply
  41. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    March 9, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    Barbara, this whiskey sour looks wonderful and your styling is stunning! What a pretty drink and I bet it goes down very smooth...
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Thanks so much Georgia; your kind comment is very much appreciated.
      Reply
  42. Lisa | Dust with Flour says

    March 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    I always wondered what makes the sour sour. Duh. It's just lemon juice. Thanks for posting this recipe!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Now you know that made me for real chuckle out loud right. Duh! Because if you had asked me before I made this cocktail from scratch I would have been hard pressed to say myself but let's blame the ingredients that we wouldn't be able to pronounce on a bottle of something we would not really want to drink, OK?
      Reply
  43. Toni @ Boulder Locavore says

    March 9, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I love that you made this cocktail Barb. I have not ever had a Whiskey Sour (that I recall) but like you it brings me back to my parents era of Cocktail Hour; a civilized habit of a daily after work cocktail at home when everyone got off work at 5 and no one was beholden to life 24/7 due to cyberspace. I have spent many years of my cocktail life as a devoted Manhattan drinker and the Liquor.com video got my attention too, wondering how a Whiskey Sour is made. Hands down these classic cocktails should be a staple of anyone’s cocktail existence. I’d take one over a Fuzzy Navel any day.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      I've been having a lot of trips down memory lane recently and that is surely one of them. How I would long for a work day that stopped on a dime at 5pm and knew a cocktail would be close at hand. Ah...for the good old days!
      Reply
  44. Ken│hungry rabbit says

    March 9, 2012 at 9:19 am

    We are so in sync. As I'm baking something with whiskey, I see this post. Definitely leaving that bottle out for this evening or earlier.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 9:41 am

      I love baking with bourbon; I'll use other types of liquor occasionally but I'm not sure I love anything better with a sweet component than a whiskey. Cheers Ken!
      Reply
  45. Elle says

    March 9, 2012 at 7:14 am

    Whiskey Sours have to be one of my top favorites of all time. They're so refreshing, and like you said--not too sweet. Usually. ;) Fortunately, I've hardly ever met one that I didn't like.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      March 9, 2012 at 7:28 am

      The truth is Elle that this cocktail is new to me. Well, to my adult me. I recall sneaking a sip of my mother's once and just about died; no, that really is not lemonade Barbara. For some reason that experience left me keeping them at a distance. I can certainly see why a kid would not love one; the bourbon really is front and center...which is exactly why I loved it now!
      Reply
      • Elle says

        March 9, 2012 at 7:31 am

        Ha! I was saying on Facebook that the first one I ever had was at my cousin's wedding. I was not yet 21, but it was an open bar and I guess I looked old enough. Someone recommended one to me and I've never looked back. They're so clean and refreshing. Same thing with Tom Collins. Love those, too!
        Reply

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  1. Classic Sour Whiskey Cocktails | e-foodrecipes.com says:
    December 14, 2015 at 11:30 am
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