Skip to main content
Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Whiskey Sour

By Chris Morocco
Whiskey sour recipe with cherry in glass.
Photo by Ted Cavanaugh

The key to an excellent whiskey sour? Getting the balance just right. This whiskey sour recipe has all the right proportions of bright, bracing lemon juice; warming, floral bourbon; and sweet simple syrup to deliver a refreshing cocktail that’s neither too cloying nor too biting. Using freshly squeezed juice is essential—the stuff that comes out of fruit-shaped squeeze bottles doesn’t even compare. If you don't have any lemon on hand, you can swap it out for lime (or a mixture of the two). Serve on the rocks with an orange wheel and a Maraschino cherry arranged neatly on a drink spear (optional but recommended!), and enjoy. Cheers!

Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published on April 19, 2016.

What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 Servings

Ingredients

2 ounces bourbon
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
½ orange wheel (for serving)
Maraschino cherry (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.

    Step 2

    Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.

    Step 3

    Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon into an old-fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesBourbonWhiskeyEasyQuick5 Ingredients or FewerBon Appétit
Read More
Bicycle Bandit
A riff on the Bicycle Thief cocktail, a citrusy, low ABV riff on a Negroni, this three-ingredient, party-ready twist features grapefruit soda.
Paloma Slushy
Frozen into a slushy, the classic tequila and grapefruit cocktail becomes even more refreshing.
Hugo Spritz
With elderflower liqueur, mint, and prosecco, the effervescent Hugo spritz cocktail is a hit year round, but particularly on warm nights.
Sea Breeze
Gourmet’s version of this perfect summer drink mixes the ideal ratio of vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juices, right in the glass.
Kimchi Bloody Mary
The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.
Spicy Mango Margarita
Blend frozen mango, blanco tequila, and lime juice into these cooling margaritas. A Tajín rim adds a spicy-salty kick.
Luscious Banana Pudding
Layer homemade custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers under clouds of whipped cream for this iconic dessert.
Frozen Espresso Martini With Spiked Whipped Cream
This frozen cocktail uses instant espresso for a strong flavor and unbeatable convenience.