Bourbon Sour
The Bourbon Sour is a delightful twist on the classic sour cocktail, blending rich bourbon with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup for a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Whiskey sour glass
- 5 ingredients
Bourbon Sour
Ingredients
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon juice1 oz
- Sugar½ tsp superfine
- Orange1
- Maraschino cherry1
Method
- In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a whiskey sour glass, garnish with the orange slice and cherry.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
A shaker that seals
Two weighted tins beat three-piece shakers. They chill faster and never jam.
See on Amazon ↗A hand citrus press
Fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make to any sour drink.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
If you've been curious about bourbon but intimidated by whiskey culture, you've found the right starting point. Bourbon cocktails offer one of the most beginner-friendly entry points into the world of spirits — unlike some whiskeys that can taste harsh or overly complex to new drinkers, bourbon's naturally sweet character makes it exceptionally mixable and approachable.
See 17 Bourbon drinksWhere it comes from
The Bourbon Sour is a classic American cocktail that exemplifies the sour formula using bourbon whiskey, celebrating the spirit's natural compatibility with citrus and sweetness. This timeless drink has remained a staple in bars since the 19th century and represents one of the most essential cocktail templates.
Tips from the bar
- Use high-quality bourbon with balanced flavor profile
- fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable for proper tartness
- simple syrup should be properly proportioned
- dry shake with egg white first for silky foam
- serve in a coupe glass with a cherry and orange wheel
Twists worth trying
- Bourbon Sour with Egg White
- Incorporates egg white foam for luxurious silky texture
- Spiced Bourbon Sour
- uses spiced bitters and aromatic elements for warmth
- Bourbon Whiskey Sour
- a simple version without egg white for lighter refreshment
What to eat with it
- Smoked meats
- barbecue
- aged cheese
- oysters
- roasted vegetables
- cherry pie
- dark chocolate
- beef steak
- prosciutto
- roasted almonds
- charcuterie
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a Bourbon Sour?
A Bourbon Sour is made with bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, orange, maraschino cherry.
What glass do you use for a Bourbon Sour?
Serve a Bourbon Sour in a whiskey sour glass.
What does a Bourbon Sour taste like?
Expect sweet, tangy, smooth.
What can I make with Bourbon?
We have 17 drinks built around Bourbon. See them all on the Bourbon page.
More with Bourbon
Every Bourbon drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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