Among the most widely recognised cocktails in circulation, the Whiskey Sour distils the sour template to its essentials: blended whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and powdered sugar, shaken and served over ice in an old-fashioned glass with a cherry and lemon garnish. The International Bartenders Association lists it among the Unforgettables, and it serves as the definitive example of the sour family—spirit, citrus, and sweetener in balance—one of the foundational templates of bartending. Whiskey's warmth, the lemon's tartness, and a measured sweetness hold one another in check at roughly 15% ABV, securing the drink's lasting place in cocktail culture.
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Whiskey Sour
Whisky Sour
Nguyên liệu
- Blended Whiskey 2 oz
- Lemon Juice of 1/2
- Powdered sugar 1/2 tsp
- Cherry 1
- Lemon 1/2 slice
Hướng dẫn
Shake with ice. Strain into chilled glass, garnish and serve. If served 'On the rocks', strain ingredients into old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
The Whiskey Sour is one of the most enduring and widely recognized cocktails in the world, made with blended whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and powdered sugar, served over ice with a cherry and lemon garnish. As an IBA Unforgettable, it is the definitive representation of the sour family — a group of spirit-citrus-sweetener cocktails that constitute one of the foundational cocktail templates in bartending. The drink's balance of whiskey warmth, citrus tartness, and gentle sweetness has earned it a permanent place in cocktail culture.
History & Origins
Whiskey Sours appeared in Jerry Thomas's 1862 'How to Mix Drinks', making them among the earliest documented American cocktails. The sour template Thomas described — spirit, lemon, sugar — became the foundation of modern mixology's sour category and directly influenced drinks from the Daiquiri to the Margarita. The IBA includes it among its Unforgettables, and it consistently ranks among the most ordered cocktails globally. Adding egg white for a silky foam layer became a popular refinement in the 20th century.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Lemon zest and whiskey grain character, with a subtle sweetness from the powdered sugar. Palate: Tart and citrusy from the lemon juice, with blended whiskey's grain complexity and mild spice providing structure; the sweetener ties the components together into a balanced, pleasing whole. Finish: Refreshing and moderately dry with lingering lemon and whiskey warmth.
Pro Tip
For the best Whiskey Sour, add an egg white and dry-shake before adding ice — the foam transforms it from a good drink into a great one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in a classic Whiskey Sour?
The classic Whiskey Sour is made with blended whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and powdered sugar (or simple syrup), served over ice with a cherry and lemon garnish. Some contemporary versions include a float of red wine (Boston Sour) or an egg white for a silkier texture and frothy head. The IBA specification uses blended whiskey, keeping the base approachable and broad in flavor.
Why is the Whiskey Sour considered a foundational cocktail?
The Whiskey Sour is classified by the IBA as an 'Unforgettable' cocktail and represents the defining example of the sour family — a structural template combining spirit, citrus, and sweetener that underpins hundreds of cocktail variations. Its balance of whiskey warmth, lemon tartness, and gentle sweetness demonstrates the principle of flavor equilibrium that is central to bartending. The drink has appeared in American bar guides since at least the 1860s.
What is the ABV of a Whiskey Sour?
A Whiskey Sour made with a standard 2 oz pour of blended whiskey at 40% ABV, diluted with lemon juice and sweetener, typically yields a finished ABV in the range of 15–18% depending on dilution from shaking and ice. The drink is spirit-forward by sour-family standards given the relatively modest volume of modifiers. A Boston Sour with an egg white will be very slightly lower in ABV due to additional liquid volume.
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