Whiskey Sour
Bourbon, lemon and syrup form a rounded citrus structure; optional egg white gives a different texture and workload.
IBA published specification · 1 reference serve.
Glassware
Technique
Ice
Garnish
Preparation effort
Ingredients & measurements
| Ingredient | mL | US fl oz | Source measure / qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bourbon Whiskey | 45 | 1.52 | 45 ml Bourbon Whiskey |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | 25 | 0.85 | 25 ml Fresh Lemon Juice |
| Sugar Syrup | 20 | 0.68 | 20 ml Sugar Syrup |
| Few Drops of Egg White (Optional) | — | — | Few Drops of Egg White (Optional) |
Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.
How to make it
Shake whiskey, lemon and syrup with ice; optional pasteurized egg white requires adequate aeration. Strain over fresh cubes.
Glass: Rocks glass. Ice: Fresh cubes; up service also allowed. Garnish: half orange slice and maraschino cherry, optionally use orange zest.
Flavor & balance
- Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
- Sweet (supporting): Sweeteners, fruit or sweetened modifiers round the attack and add weight; product sugar varies.
Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.
Preparation & batching
Service complexity: high. Batchability: spirit components only.
- Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
- Prepare or select the named syrup; record its concentration and follow its storage instructions.
- Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.
- Use pasteurized egg ingredients and follow the approved cold-holding and allergen procedure; alcohol is not a sanitizing step.
Finish aeration and texture to order; do not infer a safe storage period from the alcohol content. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.
Ingredient checks: Egg: present; use pasteurized ingredients under the bar’s approved procedure. These checks are not a complete allergen declaration for every brand or garnish.