Mixpert editorial recipe

Classic Whiskey Sour

Name: Classic Whiskey Sour
Prep time: 7 min
Total time: 7 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 fl oz bourbon whiskey; 3/4 fl oz fresh lemon juice; 2/3 fl oz 1:1 simple syrup; 1/2 fl oz pasteurized egg white, optional; 1 cup ice; 1 thin orange half-wheel, for garnish; 1 cocktail cherry, for garnish

Bourbon's vanilla warmth meets fresh lemon and measured sweetness in a classic sour that is bright, smooth, and easy to make at home.

By Mixpert KitchenReviewed for clear measures, practical steps, and nutrition consistency.Our recipe standard

Ready in7 minMakes1 servingCalories · estimated per serving158Total sugar · estimated per serving13g

Amber whiskey sour over ice with light foam, an orange half-wheel and cherry on dark marble.

Legal drinking age · Enjoy responsibly

What you’ll need

Ingredients

1 1/2 fl ozbourbon whiskey
3/4 fl ozfresh lemon juice · about 23 g counted for nutrition
2/3 fl oz1:1 simple syrup · about 24 g counted for nutrition
1/2 fl ozpasteurized egg white, optional
1 cupice
1thin orange half-wheel, for garnish · about 12 g excluded from nutrition
1cocktail cherry, for garnish · about 5 g excluded from nutrition

The simple syrup model uses equal weights of sugar and water (1:1 by weight).

Estimated nutrition per serving

158Calories2gProtein14gCarbs0gFat0gFiber13gTotal sugar12gAdded sugar

Nutrition values are calculated estimates for the listed ingredients, preparation, and serving size. Ingredient brands, substitutions, preparation, and serving size can change the result.

Calculation assumptions

Estimated with 40% ABV bourbon, the listed simple syrup, and the optional pasteurized egg white included. Omitting egg white removes a small amount of protein and calories.

Serving basis: The calculated batch is divided into 1 equal serving.

Estimated alcohol: about 1 U.S. standard drinks. Approximately 98 calories come from ethanol at 7 kcal per gram.

Method: Nutrition is estimated from listed mass quantities or the stated label-volume basis, preparation, and cited composition data. A label-volume equivalent is not a measured gram weight. Actual values vary by brand, produce size, preparation method, and serving yield.

Quality check: database or declared-label energy is checked against macro-derived energy. Variances above 8% are blocked for review unless a documented food-specific or rounding explanation has been approved.

USDA FoodData Central ↗

See modeled quantities and references

bourbon whiskey · 42 gDistilled spirit, 40% alcohol by volume · Declared Mixpert product profile · Mixpert declared profile: distilled-spirit-40-abv ↗ · Mixpert declared-label set 2026-09-12 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g derived basis. Derived from the declared formulation; ethanol energy is calculated separately at 7 kcal/g.
fresh lemon juice · 22.9 gLemon juice, raw · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 167747 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
1:1 simple syrup · 24.2 gSimple syrup, 1:1 by weight · Declared Mixpert product profile · NBS Letter Circular 770, 50.0 °Brix, 20°C ↗ · NBS Letter Circular 770, 50.0 °Brix table, checked 2026-09-24 (verified 2026-09-24). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g derived basis; 50.0 °Brix at 20°C. US liquid measures (cup 236.588 mL, tablespoon 14.787 mL, teaspoon 4.929 mL, fluid ounce 29.574 mL) are multiplied by 1.22957 g/mL. Home syrup and temperature may vary.
pasteurized egg white, optional · 15.2 gEgg white, pasteurized, frozen, raw-equivalent · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 172203 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Nutrition includes optional pasteurized egg white.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
ice · 236.6 gWater, tap · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 173647 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Water or ice contributes no energy. Water retained in the drink, including melted or blended ice, is consumed; this is not an omitted nutrient value or a claim that it is discarded.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
thin orange half-wheel, for garnish · 12 gOranges, raw, navel · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 169917 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Garnish or preparation ingredient is excluded because it is not expected to be consumed.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record. Preparation model: garnish not consumed; retained mass fraction 1.
cocktail cherry, for garnish · 5 gCherries, maraschino, canned, drained · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 167766 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Garnish or preparation ingredient is excluded because it is not expected to be consumed.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record. Preparation model: garnish not consumed; retained mass fraction 1.

Sugar checkSimple syrup supplies almost all of the sugar. The optional egg white adds protein but very few calories.

Step by step

Make it like a pro.

01
Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and optional pasteurized egg white to a shaker without ice; shake hard for 10 seconds.
02
Add ice and shake again for 12 to 15 seconds until very cold.
03
Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with the orange and cherry.

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Tools for This Recipe

Helpful equipment for making this recipe at home.

Cocktail shakerOXO Steel Cocktail Shaker with Strainer, 24 ozOXO

A practical stainless-steel shaker for chilled cocktails and mocktails.

View on Amazon JiggerOXO SteeL Double JiggerOXO

A compact double-ended measure for consistent drink proportions.

View on Amazon Citrus pressChef’n FreshForce Citrus JuicerChef’n

A handheld press for extracting fresh lemon, lime, and orange juice.

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Easy swaps

Omit egg white for a clean, foam-free sour.
Use aquafaba in place of egg white for a plant-based foam.
Reduce simple syrup to one half ounce for a tarter drink with about 3 grams less added sugar.

Mixpert tips

Pasteurized egg white is the safest choice for an uncooked cocktail.
Fresh lemon juice is essential; bottled juice tastes noticeably flatter.

Good to know

Classic Whiskey Sour FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice in a whiskey sour?

You can, but bottled juice often tastes flatter or sharper than freshly squeezed lemon. Since this is a short drink with only bourbon, lemon, and syrup, the difference is noticeable. Start with slightly less bottled juice and adjust after tasting; the written proportions are for fresh lemon.

Does a whiskey sour need egg white?

No. Egg white is optional; it adds a silky texture and foam but does not define the drink's lemon, whiskey, and sugar balance.

What whiskey is best for a whiskey sour?

The nutrition model uses 80-proof (40% ABV) bourbon. A 90-proof bourbon also works but raises the alcohol and calorie totals; rye creates a drier, spicier sour.

Classic Whiskey Sour

Make it like a pro.

Tools for This Recipe

Easy swaps

Mixpert tips

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Classic Whiskey Sour FAQs

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