This tart and slightly sweet 5 ingredient whiskey sour recipe is perfect for any time of the year! The citrus notes make this cocktail so refreshing and perfect for those warmer months and special occasions. This whiskey cocktail is elevated with orange bitters and limoncello to create an extra special drink!
This whiskey cocktail recipe is the perfect fruity, cold treat that can be served at barbeques and outdoor events, and kept in the freezer or cooler for easy serving! Perfect for making in batches and easily transferring into pitchers that you can keep on ice!
This cocktail is also perfect for those wintery nights in, where you want a fast, fancy cocktail that you can serve up in minutes!
For another delicious cocktail, see my Frozen Kiwi Mint Mojito recipe!
What is a whiskey sour?
A whiskey sour is traditionally a mixed cocktail that includes bourbon whiskey, citrus, a sweetener, and optional egg white. This cocktail beverage has been around since the late 1800s and is often enjoyed with a wide variety of whiskeys, such as bourbon or scotch.
Ingredient Notes
This spin on a classic whiskey sour is filled with limoncello, fresh-squeezed orange juice, your favorite bourbon whiskey, orange bitters, and topped with ginger beer for the most perfectly balanced cocktail!
- Whiskey– for a more traditional whiskey sour, I recommend using your favorite bourbon whiskey for its clean, balanced flavor that complements the citrus perfectly!
- Limoncello-your favorite limoncello will work perfectly for this recipe!
- Freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended for this recipe. Fresh citrus juices provide a clean, bright, and not too sweet flavor to balance your cocktails!
- Orange bitters-you can also use cherry bitters for this recipe.
- Ginger beer-if you do not have ginger beer, feel free to use ginger ale, club soda, or seltzer water for this cocktail.
- Garnish-I garnished my cocktail with rosemary for a fresh, woodsy flavor. Traditionally, however, you can top with a cherry and half an orange slice.
See recipe card for details and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the full instructions and measurements for how to make this delicious recipe, please skip down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Use the following step-by-step instructions for how to make this delicious whiskey sour cocktail recipe:
Add ice to the cocktail shaker. Pour freshly squeezed orange juice into the shaker.
Then add limoncello to the cocktail shaker.
Add your favorite bourbon whiskey to the cocktail shaker, followed by a few splashes of orange bitters.
Then shake your cocktail well in the shaker. Strain over ice in each glass until filled halfway. Top with ginger beer, garnish, and take a sip.
Hint: I highly recommend using a cocktail shaker for this recipe, instead of just stirring the cocktail. The cocktail shaker helps to seamlessly combine the whiskey, limoncello, and other flavors into a flavorful and cohesive cocktail experience.
Substitutions
This FIVE ingredient recipe makes substitutions SUPER easy! You can make this recipe using ingredients you likely have at home. Here are my substitution suggestions:
- Whiskey– while traditionally made with bourbon whiskey, I have made this recipe with scotch whiskey, and it was phenomenal!
- Ginger beer – if you do not have ginger beer, feel free to use: ginger ale, seltzer water, club soda water, or orange flavored sparkling water!
- Limoncello – if you do not have limoncello on hand, feel free to substitute with equal parts fresh lemon juice or lime juice!
Variations
This recipe is easily customizable with multiple variations of alcohol, mocktails, and flavor suggestions:
- Cherry Whiskey Sour-for a cherry variation, you would use whiskey and cherry liquor! Then use freshly squeezed lemon, orange, or cherry juice and use cherry bitters!
- Mocktail – for a mocktail version, feel free to omit the whiskey and substitute it with extra ginger beer! Then substitute the limoncello for freshly squeezed lemon juice. Don’t forget to omit the bitters as well.
Equipment
The only equipment that you need for this recipe is a cocktail shaker, ounce measuring cups, and serving glasses!
Here is the cocktail making kit that I have at home!
I also used these ice molds for this recipe, which made the cocktail extra cold and super special!
Mocktail Whiskey Sour
A mocktail version of this cocktail is just as delicious! For the mocktail, you would omit the whiskey and substitute it with extra ginger beer or club soda! Then substitute the limoncello for freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Don’t forget to skip the bitters as well, since bitters contain alcohol. Then top with a fun garnish! I used a rosemary sprig for that woodsy flavor, but you can also garnish with a cherry and orange slice!
Top tips
- Fresh-squeezed oranges are always preferred, but you can use orange juice from the grocery store if you are in a pinch!
- I highly recommend using a cocktail shaker for this recipe, instead of just stirring the cocktail. The cocktail shaker helps to seamlessly combine the whiskey, limoncello, and other flavors into a flavorful and cohesive cocktail experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! Whiskey sours are typically made in a cocktail shaker with ice to keep the cocktail ice cold. Then the whiskey sour is poured over ice and served in an old-fashioned glass. A larger ice cube for serving is preferred to prevent a “watered down” cocktail.
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The BEST Limoncello Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker You could also use a mason jar!
- 2 Glasses For serving
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 2 oz Whiskey Your favorite Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 oz Limoncello Your favorite Limoncello
- 2 oz Orange juice Freshly squeezed preferred
- 6 Dashes Orange bitters
- 1 Cup Ginger beer
- 2 Rosemary sprig Optional
Instructions
Cocktail
- Add ice, whiskey, limoncello, orange juice, and orange bitters to shaker. Shake well.
- Pour mixture over ice in two glasses. Top off with ginger beer in both glasses.
- Add rosemary sprig to each glass. Enjoy!
I made this recipe at home and this whiskey sour is đŸ”¥