My Bar Bible / Cocktails / Whiskey Sour vs Amaretto Sour
Whiskey Sour vs Amaretto Sour
What is the difference between a Whiskey Sour and a Amaretto Sour? Here are both recipes side by side, with exact measures, and what actually sets them apart.
The difference
- Both use bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white.
- Only the Amaretto Sour has amaretto.
Whiskey Sour
| Bourbon | 45 ml |
| Lemon juice | 25 ml |
| Simple syrup | 20 ml |
| Egg white | 20 ml |
One of the oldest sours in print, in Jerry Thomas’s bartender’s guide of 1862. Egg white is optional, and divides bartenders.
Amaretto Sour
| Amaretto | 45 ml |
| Bourbon | 22.5 ml |
| Lemon juice | 30 ml |
| Simple syrup | 5 ml |
| Egg white | 15 ml |
The modern spec from Jeffrey Morgenthaler, who rescued it with a shot of strong bourbon.