# Whiskey Sour

> Whiskey Sour, the IBA official recipe: 45 ml bourbon, 25 ml lemon juice and 20 ml simple syrup. Shaken and served up in a chilled cocktail glass, garnished with half orange slice and maraschino cherry, optionally use orange zest.

Bourbon, lemon and sugar, with egg white if you want a silky foam.

- IBA category: [IBA: The Unforgettables](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/unforgettables/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Whiskey cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/whiskey-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Shaken (shaken hard with ice)
- Glass: Cocktail glass
- Served: Straight up, no ice
- Strength: about 14.2% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.1 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 95 ml (3⅛ oz) before ice, about 143 ml in the glass
- Taste: Sour

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 45 ml (1½ oz) [Bourbon](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/bourbon/index.md)
- 25 ml (⅞ oz) [Lemon juice](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/lemon/index.md)
- 20 ml (⅔ oz) [Simple syrup](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/simple-syrup/index.md)
- Few drops [Egg white](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/egg/index.md) (optional)

## Method

1. Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into cobbler glass.
4. If served “On the rocks”, strain ingredients into old fashioned glass filled with ice.

## Garnish

Half orange slice and maraschino cherry, optionally use orange zest.

## Notes

If egg white is used shake little harder to release and incorporate the foam from the egg white.

## One ingredient away

Drinks on the list that differ from the Whiskey Sour by a single ingredient.

- [Old Fashioned](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/old-fashioned/index.md): Angostura bitters instead of lemon juice
- [Mint Julep](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/mint-julep/index.md): mint instead of lemon juice

## If you like the Whiskey Sour

- [New York Sour](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/new-york-sour/index.md): Bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, egg and red wine
- [Paper Plane](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/paper-plane/index.md): Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and lemon juice
- [Bramble](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/bramble/index.md): Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and crème de mûre
- [French 75](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/french-75/index.md): Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and sparkling wine

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/whiskey-sour/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAtL-m4iQw0
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

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- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/whiskey-sour/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
- Maintained by Jigger, an independent index not affiliated with or endorsed by the IBA. All pages: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/sitemap.md