Bourbon Sour
The Bourbon Sour is a strong whiskey sour, tart and sweet on the palate. Shaken and served in a sour glass.
- 3 min
- Sour glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 77 out of 100
- Sweet
- 63 out of 100
- Fruity
- 25 out of 100
- Smoky
- 44 out of 100
- Boozy
- 78 out of 100
How to make a Bourbon Sour
To make a Bourbon Sour, shake with ice and strain into a sour glass: 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz lemon juice and ¼ oz simple syrup. Garnish with orange and maraschino cherry.
You'll need
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon juice1 oz
- Simple syrupor ½ tsp sugar + a splash of water¼ oz
- Orange, Maraschino cherrygarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Prefer it silky? Add an egg white and dry-shake first: that's the Boston Sour.
Prefer it long and fizzy? Top it with soda water: that's the John Collins.
Make it a showstopper. Float red wine on top: that's the New York Sour.
Instructions
- 1
Chill a sour glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled sour glass.
- 6
Garnish with an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry.
Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
No simple syrup? Muddle ½ tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.
Bourbon Sour questions
What does a Bourbon Sour taste like, and is it sweet?
Yes, it's on the sweet side: it's mostly tart and sweet, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 23% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Bourbon Sour?
About 23% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Bourbon Sour and a Bourbon Sling?
Both use bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup. Both are shaken, but the Bourbon Sour goes in a sour glass and the Bourbon Sling in a highball glass.
Should a Bourbon Sour be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: lemon juice and simple syrup need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
How do I make a pitcher of Bourbon Sours?
For 6 drinks, mix 12 oz bourbon, 6 oz lemon juice and ¾ oz simple syrup in a jug and chill it. Add 3¾ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a Bourbon Sour in?
A sour glass.