Whisky Sour Recipe

Best cocktail sours

Hannah Guinness

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Make a range of delicious sour cocktails with our best ever recipes, from a classic whisky sour to a fiery guava and chilli twist on the traditional

Want to perfect the whisky sour or master its many cousins? Try everything from simple gin sours to tropical variations with our top drinks recipes.

The origins of the sour stretch back centuries to when sailors devised a way of preventing scurvy (a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C) on long voyages by mixing their spirit ration (usually rum or whisky) with lemon or lime juice. Nowadays, we've experimented with this classic cocktail to bring you the most delicious variations and traditional serves at their very best. It's a staple of many a classic cocktail menu.

Try our ideas below and then get stuck into our favourite easy cocktail recipes, vodka cocktail recipes and American cocktails for more mixed masterpieces.

Best cocktail sours

Whisky sour

In a whisky sour, the lemon juice is (almost) as vital as the bourbon. The whisky adds a gentle warmth to balance out the creaminess of the egg white, make sure you shake your drink vigorously to get the iconic foamy top.

Hazelnut sour

The rich, nutty flavours of Italian hazelnut liqueur Frangelico are balanced by bright lemon in this lovely after-dinner cocktail.

Tom Collins

Winningly simple to make, try this sour Tom Collins for a deliciously refreshing aperitif.

Amaretto sour

Make a round of Amaretto sours, topped with egg white froth and a maraschino cherry, for a pretty tipple to serve to friends and family.

An amaretto sour in a tumbler topped with a cherry, with a napkin on the side

Mastiha sour

Mastiha is an ancient Greek digestif made from mastic resin. It has gorgeous pine and minty notes that work so well in this simple sour cocktail, balancing citrusy notes from lemon juice and orange bitters.

Two short cocktails on a table

Easter amaretto sour

Our spiced twist on the classic amaretti sour uses sweet PX sherry, with notes of dried fruit, and a homemade hot-cross bun syrup for a seasonal serve. Leave out these if you fancy the traditional version of the cocktail.

Pisco sour

This Peruvian version of the pisco sour uses fresh lime, smooth pisco, egg white and a simple sugar syrup. Garnish with a few drops of bitters for a hint of herbal flavour. Shake with gusto to get the characteristic foamy head.

Gin sour

A fresh, zesty cocktail featuring a classic dry gin. A healthy glug of gin, sugar syrup, lemon juice, fresh grapefruit juice and some decorative basil leaves make this a great cocktail to sip in the sunshine.

Ramos gin fizz

This classic New Orleans sours cocktail not only looks impressive, but is also absolutely delicious: zesty, fluffy and creamy, it tastes like liquid lemon meringue pie. It takes a bit of effort, requiring lots of vigorous shaking, but is well worth it. This method uses a blender as a shortcut but the result is just as good.

Two highball glasses filled with ramos gin fizz cocktail and garnished with a lemon twist

Pineapple whisky sour

Like a whisky sour, but with the added wonder of pineapple juice. Adding a little fruit makes this whisky cocktail light and refreshing, perfect for a summery sipper. This elegant drink is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Guava chilli sour

The perfect blend of subtle heat and creamy texture, this vibrant chilli sour uses fresh guava and tequila to get the party started. Take some inspiration from a classic margarita and run a lime wedge around the glass, then dip into our chilli and salt mix.

Sherry sour

This easy-drinking sour cocktail combines richly spiced oloroso sherry with a sharp citrus base for a sophisticated twist on the original. With just four ingredients, this simple serve is great for toasting a special occasion.

Sherry whisky sour

Enjoy a Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail. The cream sherry adds extra festive flavours - perfect for a festive party or gathering with friends.

Authors

Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer

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