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National Whiskey Sour Day

Drink · August 25

A look at the whiskey sour, the classic cocktail of whiskey, lemon juice and sugar, and the simple ways people mix and enjoy one.

National Whiskey Sour Day falls on Wednesday, August 25, 2027. That is 302 days away.

The whiskey sour is one of the oldest and plainest ideas in the cocktail world. Whiskey, fresh lemon juice and sugar, shaken with ice. That is the whole formula, and it has held up well.

The balance is what makes it work. Lemon brings the sharpness, sugar softens it, and the whiskey gives warmth and depth underneath. Bourbon is the usual choice in American bars, and it leans the drink toward vanilla and caramel. Rye makes it drier and a little spicier.

Some bartenders add egg white, which gives the drink a silky foam on top. Raw egg carries a risk of salmonella, so anyone trying this at home can use pasteurized egg whites, or simply skip the egg. Plenty of people prefer it without. A few dashes of bitters dropped onto the foam is a common finish, and a cherry or an orange slice is the classic garnish.

Making one at home takes very little gear. A jar with a tight lid works as a shaker. Fresh lemon juice tastes noticeably brighter than bottled, and simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, stirred until dissolved) blends in more easily than plain sugar. Serve it over ice in a short glass or strained into a coupe.

For anyone not drinking alcohol, the same lemon and syrup base, topped with soda water or strong cold tea, keeps the tart and sweet balance that gives the drink its name.

Ways to celebrate

• Try mixing a whiskey sour at home with fresh lemon juice.
• Compare one made with bourbon against one made with rye.
• Make a batch of simple syrup and keep it chilled for later.
• Try a zero proof version with lemon, syrup and soda water.

Dates

All national days on August 25

Also on August 25

• National Banana Split Day
• National Park Service Founders Day
• Kiss and Make Up Day

Categories: Drink days