What glass is a Whiskey Sour served in?

A rocks glass. The wide mouth puts the aroma of a citrus twist right under your nose, and the heavy base survives muddling and stirring in the glass.

Is a Whiskey Sour shaken or stirred?

Shaken. It contains citrus, juice, cream or egg, which need the force and aeration of shaking.

How strong is a Whiskey Sour?

About 13% ABV after dilution, or roughly 1.5 US standard drinks (21 g of alcohol) per serve.

How many calories are in a Whiskey Sour?

Roughly 226 kcal per drink, most of it from alcohol and sugar.

Can I make a Whiskey Sour without bourbon?

Yes. Rye Whiskey is the closest substitute, though the drink will taste different.

Mojito

Gin and Tonic

Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, lemon and sugar, shaken with egg white for a silky foam. Sweet, sour and warming.

Strength: 13% ABV
Standard drinks (US): 1.5
Calories: 226 kcal
In the glass: 7⅛ oz
Method: Shaken

Bourbon
Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup
Egg White

How to Make a Whiskey Sour

Add the bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white to a shaker.
Shake without ice for 10 seconds to whip the egg white.
Fill with ice and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes.
Garnish with a few drops of Angostura and a cocktail cherry.

Print the Pour GuideA true-scale card for your boston shaker glass with a line for every pour. Free Pour With Your CameraLine up your glass and pour to the lines on screen. Tilt Pour With Your PhoneStrap your phone to the bottle. It counts every pour and buzzes at the measure.

About the Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour appears in Jerry Thomas's 1862 bartender's guide, but sailors were mixing spirit and citrus long before. The egg white is the Boston Sour variation that most bars now treat as standard.

Created 1860s in United States. Listed as an official cocktail by the International Bartenders Association.

Bartender's tip: Dry shake first without ice, then shake again with ice for the thickest foam.

Taste Profile

Sweet

Sour

Bitter

Strong

Fresh

Good to Know

What glass is a Whiskey Sour served in?: A rocks glass. The wide mouth puts the aroma of a citrus twist right under your nose, and the heavy base survives muddling and stirring in the glass.
Is a Whiskey Sour shaken or stirred?: Shaken. It contains citrus, juice, cream or egg, which need the force and aeration of shaking.
How strong is a Whiskey Sour?: About 13% ABV after dilution, or roughly 1.5 US standard drinks (21 g of alcohol) per serve.
How many calories are in a Whiskey Sour?: Roughly 226 kcal per drink, most of it from alcohol and sugar.
Can I make a Whiskey Sour without bourbon?: Yes. Rye Whiskey is the closest substitute, though the drink will taste different.

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