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shakemediumclassic

Whiskey Sour

A timeless classic combining whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Smooth, tart, and refreshing with an optional egg white for texture.

Ingredients

  • Bourbon or Rye Whiskey2 oz
  • Lemon juice0.75 oz
  • Simple syrup0.75 oz
  • Egg whiteoptional1

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Instructions

  1. 1Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice (dry shake if using egg white)
  2. 2If using egg white, dry shake for 15 seconds to emulsify
  3. 3Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds
  4. 4Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
  5. 5Garnish with a cherry and orange slice
Glassware
Coupe glass
Technique
shake
Servings
1
Garnish
Cherry and orange slice
whiskeysourclassicbourbon

The Whiskey Sour is a foundational cocktail that every bartender should master. It's a perfect example of the sour template: spirit, citrus, and sweetener.

The Egg White Debate

Traditional whiskey sours often include an egg white, which creates a silky texture and beautiful foam. If you're concerned about raw eggs, you can:

  • Use pasteurized egg whites
  • Skip the egg white entirely
  • Use aquafaba (chickpea water) as a vegan alternative

Variations

  • Boston Sour: Add a red wine float on top
  • New York Sour: Similar to Boston Sour but with a different wine
  • Amaretto Sour: Replace whiskey with amaretto

Source: Classic cocktail