Whisky Sour Recipe: Bourbon, Lemon & Sugar
A Whisky Sour balances bourbon with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. Make the classic drink without egg white, or treat foam as an optional variation.
A Whisky Sour balances bourbon with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. Make the classic drink without egg white, or treat foam as an optional variation.
In this guide
Whisky Sour Recipe: Bourbon, Lemon & Sugar
Ingredients
- 45ml bourbon whiskey
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml sugar syrup
- Ice
- Orange slice or zest and a cocktail cherry, optional garnish
Method
- Measure the bourbon, lemon juice and sugar syrup into a shaker with ice.
- Shake thoroughly to combine and chill.
- Strain into a chilled glass, or a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Add the optional garnish and serve.
A sour is a balance, not just a name
The whiskey supplies the base, lemon brings acidity and syrup adds sweetness. Lemon juice and syrup vary, so measure the baseline before adjusting. Adding more syrup can mask acidity but also changes the texture and sweetness of the drink.
Do you need egg white?
No. The IBA specification makes egg white optional, and the recipe above leaves it out. If offering an egg-white version, identify the allergen clearly and follow suitable food-handling procedures. An egg-free drink does not require an explanation or replacement ingredient to be a Whisky Sour.
Know which syrup you are using
A rich syrup and a 1:1 syrup do not deliver the same sweetness per millilitre. The simple syrup guide defines ratios by weight so you can reproduce the syrup you choose. Keep that syrup consistent when comparing variations.
Serving and preparation
Prepare the drink shortly before serving. For a round of drinks, measure the non-carbonated ingredients in advance if useful, then chill and shake each serving with fresh ice. Keep the citrus and any other perishable ingredients appropriately stored.
Costing this drink for a menu
Add the cost of each measure, mixer and garnish, then allow for your actual wastage. The cocktail menu price calculator shows how those costs, a GP target and VAT combine. The example target is editable; choose one that fits your own venue.
Recipe reference
International Bartenders Association: Whiskey Sour. The recipe above uses this published specification; the surrounding notes explain practical choices and variations.
