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Two glasses of the whiskey sour, red cherries in front, dark in back - square
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Whiskey Sour Cocktail

This whiskey sour cocktail blends smooth whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness for a bright, balanced drink that’s refreshing, classic, and incredibly easy to make. Serve it over ice with a citrus garnish for the perfect cocktail-hour sip any day of the week.
Course Cocktail
Cuisine Cocktails
Keyword whiskey sour cocktail
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 226kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces whiskey I used Crown Royal
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 ounce lemon freshly squeezed

Garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a shaker half way with ice.
  • Add whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup
    2 ounces whiskey, 1 ounce simple syrup, 1 ounce lemon
  • Cap your shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Pour contents of shaker in glass, including the ice. Add maraschino cherries.
    2 maraschino cherries
  • Sip, smile, and enjoy.

Notes

Even though you see two cocktails, this is just for one cocktail.  Double it to make two!

Helpful tips

  • Choose the best whiskey that fits your budget. My mom always loved Crown Royal, but I’ve also made this cocktail with Jameson Irish whiskey, and it works beautifully.
  • Whiskey has a strong presence, so instead of the usual 2:1 sweet-to-sour ratio, I recommend keeping this one closer to 1:1 for better balance.
  • If you use maraschino cherries, rinse off the syrup before adding them to the drink.
  • Try both the vibrant red and the darker maraschino cherries. I prefer Luxardo, but whichever you choose, give them a quick rinse.
  • Some versions of this cocktail include egg white, but I prefer it without. Egg white adds creaminess, but since there’s still a risk with raw eggs, I skip it.
  • Always wash citrus thoroughly before juicing or using it as a garnish.
  • I like serving this drink in a double old-fashioned glass, but a standard rocks glass works too.
  • If you're a whiskey sour fan, try the New York Sour sometime. It uses bourbon and has a float of red wine on top for a beautiful layered effect.

Nutrition

Serving: 5ounces | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 39mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin C: 15mg | Iron: 1mg