Whiskey Sour Variations

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These Whiskey Sour variations are all unique recipe variations of the classic Whiskey Sour cocktail. If you enjoy Whiskey Sours but are looking to try something a little different, this cocktail list is for you.

For more whiskey cocktails, try these Easy Whiskey Cocktails, these Christmas Whiskey Cocktails or these Fall Bourbon Cocktails.

Tips For Beginner Bartenders

Shake the cocktail shaker well. If the recipe calls for using a cocktail shaker, make sure to shake the cocktail well for at least 20 to 30 seconds before straining. This helps chill the drink and infuse the flavors properly. If the cocktail is supposed to have a foamy head (like an espresso martini), shaking also helps create the foam layer.
Use large ice cubes. To elevate the look of your drink, you can make large ice cubes using special ice cube molds, such as these large sphere ice cube molds.
Add some garnish. Every cocktail needs a bit of garnish. Some ideas include making an orange peel or lemon peel twist, using a peeler. You could also add some fresh fruit or maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick. Dehydrated fruit slices for winter cocktails or some edible flowers for summer cocktails are some more easy ideas for garnish.
Use the right cocktail glass. It’s not always essential to use the right cocktail glass, but sometimes it does help. Mojitos are served in highball cocktail glasses and espresso martinis are served in coupe glasses or martini glasses, for example. Hurricane glasses are great for frozen cocktails and of course, classic margarita glasses are perfect for margaritas. However, when in doubt, low ball cocktail glasses work for most recipes.
Use a jigger. A jigger is a helpful bartender tool to properly measure the ingredients for your cocktail. However, if you don’t have one, you can use regular measuring spoons. 1 oz is the equivalent of 2 tablespoons.
Use store bought syrup. Cocktail recipes often use flavored syrup. Making your own at home is not hard (even for beginners), but if you find this too daunting or time consuming, you can generally find whatever flavor of syrup you need pre-made in a bottle. You can buy classic simple syrup for example, but you can also find all sorts of flavors, such as this strawberry simple syrup, this watermelon simple syrup and this caramel simple syrup.

Cherry Whiskey Sour

This Cherry Whiskey Sour adds a cherry twist on a classic whiskey sour cocktail. It is made with a homemade black cherry simple syrup for the most authentic cherry flavor.

Pineapple Whiskey Sour

This Pineapple Whiskey Sour is an easy cocktail that any whiskey lover will enjoy. It’s made with only 4 ingredients in under 5 minutes.

Glass of blood orange whisky sour, garnished with a slice of blood orange, with an orange slice ice cubes and rose petals in the foreground.

Blood Orange Whiskey Sour

This easy blood orange whiskey sour is the best bourbon sour cocktail to make this winter. It’s not too sweet, and not to heavy on the whiskey, giving it the perfect balance of blood orange flavour and whiskey undertones.