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Classic Whiskey Sour

A perfectly balanced classic cocktail featuring bourbon or rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, shaken to silky perfection. This sophisticated drink delivers bold whiskey flavor with bright citrus notes and takes just 2 minutes to make.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 0.75 ounces fresh lemon juice about half a large lemon
  • 0.5 ounces simple syrup equal parts sugar and water, cooled
  • Ice enough to fill shaker plus ice for serving
  • 1 lemon wheel or cherry for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker or mason jar with tight-fitting lid
  • Jigger or measuring spoon
  • Strainer or small mesh sieve
  • Bar spoon or long mixing spoon
  • Rocks glass or coupe glass
  • Citrus juicer or handheld reamer
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Fill your rocks glass or coupe glass with ice and let it sit for about 30 seconds while you prepare the drink.
  2. Pour exactly 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey into your cocktail shaker using a jigger.
  3. Squeeze half a large lemon to yield about 0.75 ounces of juice, then pour it directly into the shaker with the whiskey.
  4. Add 0.5 ounces of cooled simple syrup to your shaker along with the whiskey and lemon juice.
  5. Add enough ice to your shaker to nearly fill it.
  6. Close your shaker tightly and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty and cold.
  7. Dump the melted ice water from your chilled glass and position your strainer over the top of the shaker. Strain the cocktail slowly into your glass, leaving the shaken ice behind in the shaker.
  8. Fill your serving glass with fresh ice if you prefer, or serve up in a coupe glass without ice. Top with a lemon wheel or cherry, then serve immediately while the drink is still perfectly cold.

Notes

Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and shake with intention; these two factors alone separate a forgettable whiskey sour from one you'll remember. For a silkier texture, add one egg white before shaking. Choose a whiskey you enjoy drinking neat, as it makes up the majority of the flavor profile.