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Whiskey Sour

By Joe Gitter

Published on September 2, 2025

Time

5 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 cocktail

Whiskey Sour

Ingredients

2 ounces rye 1 ounce egg white ¾ ounce Simple Syrup ½ ounce lemon juice Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Before You Begin

We prefer the spiciness of rye, but Bourbon, scotch, or Irish whiskey all work. If using one of those, decrease the simple syrup to 1/2 ounce. Use aged rum instead of rye for a Rum Sour or reposado tequila for a Tequila Sour. You can garnish with old-fashioned aromatic bitters if desired.

Instructions

  1. Add 2 ounces rye, 1 ounce egg white, ¾ ounce simple syrup, and ½ ounce lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until mixture is foamy, about 45 seconds.
  2. Fill shaker with ice, then shake mixture until fully combined and well chilled, about 15 seconds. Double-strain cocktail into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cherries and serve.
Whiskey Sour
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Joy Howard.

Whiskey Sour

Headshot of Joe Gitter
By Joe Gitter

Published on September 2, 2025

Save

Time

5 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
1 ounce egg white
¾ ounce Simple Syrup
½ ounce lemon juice
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
1 ounce egg white
¾ ounce Simple Syrup
½ ounce lemon juice
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Ingredients

2 ounces rye
1 ounce egg white
¾ ounce Simple Syrup
½ ounce lemon juice
Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Why This Recipe Works

At its simplest, a whiskey sour is whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar, shaken with ice. We found that adding an egg white, a traditional inclusion that has gone in and out of style over the years, elevates the cocktail from good to great. It adds rich, silky body and frothiness while mellowing the dark spirit.

Before You Begin

We prefer the spiciness of rye, but Bourbon, scotch, or Irish whiskey all work. If using one of those, decrease the simple syrup to 1/2 ounce. Use aged rum instead of rye for a Rum Sour or reposado tequila for a Tequila Sour. You can garnish with old-fashioned aromatic bitters if desired.

Instructions

  1. Add 2 ounces rye, 1 ounce egg white, ¾ ounce simple syrup, and ½ ounce lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until mixture is foamy, about 45 seconds.
  2. Fill shaker with ice, then shake mixture until fully combined and well chilled, about 15 seconds. Double-strain cocktail into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cherries and serve.

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