A whiskey sour is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and optionally an egg white. It strikes a perfect balance between spirituous, sour, and sweet. The whiskey sour is a refreshing, versatile drink that can be enjoyed year-round. While the whiskey sour has a distinct flavor profile, there are many cocktails that are similar due to their shared ingredients and balance of flavors. This article explores the wide world of whiskey sour variations and adjacent cocktails worth trying for any whiskey sour enthusiast.
Whiskey Sour Variations
The whiskey sour formula is quite simple, but bartenders have crafted many riffs that put unique spins on the drink while preserving its essence. Here are some popular whiskey sour variations:
Amaretto Sour
The amaretto sour swaps bourbon or rye for almond-flavored amaretto. The nutty, sweet liqueur balances the tart lemon for a dessert-like cocktail. It’s rich yet refreshing. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Midori Sour
For a vibrant green cocktail, the Midori sour incorporates melon liqueur. Midori is a Japanese honeydew melon cordial that adds fruity sweetness. The color instantly brightens any occasion.
Pisco Sour
The Pisco sour is Peru and Chile’s take, using pisco as the base spirit. Pisco is a clear brandy made from grapes. It mixes seamlessly with lemon and sugar for a smooth, frothy sour.
Boston Sour
While a standard whiskey sour is shaken, the Boston sour adds an extra layer of texture by including 1-2 oz of red wine floated on top. The wine’s tannins contrast the sour lemon for a complex cocktail.
New York Sour
Similarly, a New York sour floats 1⁄2 oz of red wine on a whiskey sour. But it also rims the glass with red wine for a bolder wine impression. The wine accentuates the whiskey’s oak notes.
Gold Rush
The Gold Rush exudes decadence, incorporating honey syrup rather than plain sugar. The honey smooths out the lemon’s acidity for a well-integrated cocktail. Use a quality, flavorful honey for the best results.
Kentucky Sour
For an indulgent sipper, the Kentucky sour includes 1⁄4 oz of the nutty liqueur Benedictine along with bourbon. A dash of bitters and garnish of cherries or orange peel tie it all together.
Whiskey Peach Sour
Peach is a natural pairing for bourbon whiskey. The whiskey peach sour features peach nectar or puree for a sweet, fruity twist. It’s ideal for summer.
Cocktails with Similar Flavor Profiles
Looking beyond formal variations, many cocktails share a similar flavor blueprint as the whiskey sour. Here are some comparable drinks to consider:
Margarita
A margarita aligns very closely with a whiskey sour. Tequila stands in for whiskey, with tart lime juice, sugar, and salt on the rim instead of lemon. The balance of sweet and sour with a spirit base makes margaritas and whiskey sours kindred spirits.
Daiquiri
Hailing from Cuba, the daiquiri also has citrus juice, sugar, and rum as the core ingredients. Overall it’s more tart and less sweet than a whiskey sour. But it’s still a bright, refreshing sour cocktail. Try different rum styles like white, gold, spiced, or aged.
Sidecar
A sidecar features brandy, lemon juice, and orange liqueur. The lemon and brandy play similar roles as in a whiskey sour, while the orange liqueur adds sweetness. It’s a timeless classic to enjoy straight up or on the rocks.
White Lady
This Prohibition-era cocktail contains gin, lemon juice, and orange liqueur like a Sidecar. But it adds egg white for a richer texture and foam. The egg white softens the citrus edge for a smooth sip.
Gimlet
A gimlet shows off gin and lime cordial’s affinty, mixed in a 2:1 ratio. The sweet, tart lime complements herbaceous gin. Classic gimlets are served up, but they also shine over ice.
Moscow Mule
Ginger beer’s spicy bite replaces lemon juice in a Moscow Mule made with vodka. The combination of sweet and sour still applies. It’s traditionally served in a copper mug, but any glass will do.
Dark and Stormy
Swap vodka for dark rum and ginger beer still transports you to the Moscow Mule family. A dash of lime and Angostura bitters round out this cocktail. Fun fact: ginger is considered a palate cleanser.
Cocktails with Whiskey and Citrus
If it’s specifically the whiskey and lemon juice that resonates most in a whiskey sour, here are some comparable cocktails:
Old Fashioned
An old fashioned highlights whiskey, bitters, and sugar, without citrus. But its balanced spirit-forward flavor and moderate sweetness make it appeal to whiskey sour fans. Use high-quality bourbon or rye to let the whiskey shine.
Manhattan
This elegant whiskey cocktail incorporates vermouth and Angostura bitters. The dry, herbal notes complement the whiskey with a hint of sweetness from the vermouth. Whiskey is the star, but more nuanced than a whiskey sour.
Mint Julep
A mint julep is bourbon’s answer to summer. This iced cocktail muddles mint leaves with sugar and water for a sweet, grassy flavor. Bourbon still takes center stage, but in a refreshing format. It’s traditionally served in a silver julep cup.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier joins bourbon with Campari and vermouth. The Campari’s signature bitter orange flavor plays well with the whiskey’s vanilla and caramel notes. Stir it up for boozy sophistication.
Gold Rush
This honey-sweetened bourbon sour is worth mentioning again for its luscious lemon-whiskey balance. The honey adds a layer of warmth and texture. It makes a terrific brunch or after-dinner drink.
Brown Derby
Invented in 1930s Los Angeles, the Brown Derby combines bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup. The honey tames grapefruit’s tartness for well-integrated flavors. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Kentucky Colonel
Benedictine herbal liqueur amplifies bourbon’s complexity here. With lemon to accent the citrus top notes, it’s an elevated whiskey sour riff. Nutmeg on top ties it together.
Adapting the Whiskey Sour
One of the great qualities of a whiskey sour is how adaptable it is. You can substitute different base spirits, swap various citrus juices, and play with sweeteners to create your own perfect variation:
Base Spirit Ideas
- Bourbon
- Rye
- Irish whiskey
- Scotch whisky
- Brandy
- Rum
- Tequila
- Gin
- Vodka
- Mezcal
Citrus Juice Options
- Lemon
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Tangerine
- Pomelo
Sweetener Ideas
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Agave nectar
- Grenadine
- Triple sec
The possibilities are virtually endless! Feel free to riff on proportions or add extra ingredients like juice, bitters, herbs, spices, or fruit to find your perfect sour.
Conclusion
With its template of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, the whiskey sour inspired countless delicious cocktails. Variations like the amaretto sour and Midori sour offer different flavor profiles. Margaritas, daiquiris, and other sours share its balance. Old fashioneds and Manhattans keep the whiskey spirit. And you can mix and match components to create your own custom sours. Whiskey sour lovers have an exciting world of similar drinks to explore beyond the original.