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How to Make a Whiskey Sour: Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe

Name: How to Make a Whiskey Sour: Classic Whiskey Sour Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Yield: 1 cocktail
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey; ¾–1 ounce fresh lemon juice; ¾–1 ounce simple syrup; Orange slice, for garnish; Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Aug 23, 2026 • 1 min read

The Whiskey Sour is a structured and refreshing cocktail that can be drunk from the afternoon until late in the night.

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What Is the Whiskey Sour?

The Whiskey Sour is made with two parts rye whiskey or bourbon, to one part each of lemon juice and simple syrup. Classic sours typically call for two parts of a spirit, along with one-to three-quarter parts each of sweetener and acid. Some sour cocktails feature an egg white for a bit of froth and volume, which is optional for the Whiskey Sour. The acidic citrus in this classic cocktail brings levity to the spice and smoke of barrel-aged whiskey. The Whiskey Sour is shaken and served over ice in a rocks glass.

Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe

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makes

1 cocktail

prep time

2 min

total time

2 min

Ingredients

2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
¾–1 ounce fresh lemon juice
¾–1 ounce simple syrup
Orange slice, for garnish
Maraschino cherry, for garnish

1
Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice cubes. Shake well for 30 seconds.
2
Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry.

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