Alcoholic beverage, whiskey sour, prepared from item 14028
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
The whiskey sour is a classic, balanced cocktail blending the bold, oaky warmth of whiskey with the bright, sharp tang of fresh lemon juice, rounded out by a touch of sweetness. Its texture is smooth and slightly frothy when shaken with egg white, offering a silky mouthfeel. Nutritionally, it's a low-protein, low-fat drink where nearly all its calories come from carbohydrates, specifically sugars from the added simple syrup or sweet-and-sour mix.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 99% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the whiskey sour for its perfect equilibrium of sweet, sour, and strong flavors, making it a refreshing yet robust drink. Its versatility is a huge draw—it can be tailored to be more tart, sweeter, or frothy, and it's a staple in cocktail culture from classic bars to modern speakeasies.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the high sugar content from the simple syrup or mix, which can lead to blood sugar spikes and empty calories. Those watching their sugar intake or managing conditions like diabetes should be cautious. A concrete tip is to request a 'less sweet' or 'half-sweet' version, or to ensure it's made with fresh lemon juice and a controlled amount of simple syrup rather than a pre-made, high-sugar mix.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from simple sugars.
- Contains small amounts of antioxidants from the whiskey, derived from its aging in oak barrels.
- The lemon juice contributes a modest amount of vitamin C.
- Can be a social and relaxing beverage when consumed in moderation.
- A well-made version with fresh juice offers a more complex flavor than pre-made mixes.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'sour' family of cocktails is one of the oldest and most fundamental categories in mixology, and the whiskey sour recipe dates back to at least 1862, appearing in the first known cocktail bartender's guide.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 72.4 g |
| Energy | 153 kcal |
| Energy | 638 kj |
| Protein | 0.06 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.06 g |
| Ash | 0.12 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 12.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 1.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.08 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 5.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 18.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 61.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.06 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.01 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 14.5 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Alcoholic beverage, distilled, vodka, 80 proof — USDA does not publish this profile for Alcoholic beverage.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
What is the difference between a whiskey sour and a whiskey and sour?
They are typically the same drink. 'Whiskey and sour' is sometimes used colloquially, especially in regions where pre-made sour mix is common, but a proper 'whiskey sour' implies a craft cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, and sweetener.
Why is there foam on top of some whiskey sours?
The foam is created by dry-shaking (shaking without ice) egg white or a vegan alternative like aquafaba with the other ingredients first. This emulsifies the proteins, creating a rich, velvety texture and a stable frothy head.
Can I make a whiskey sour without a shaker?
Yes, you can build it directly in a glass with ice, but the texture will be less smooth and it won't develop the characteristic froth. Stirring vigorously in a jar with a tight lid is a good makeshift alternative.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.53 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 12.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.39 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.