Comparison
Amaretto Sour vs Whiskey Sour
Amaretto-sour and whiskey-sour get compared often because they occupy similar territory — but the differences matter. This page puts the data side by side so you can see exactly where they diverge on flavor, nutrition, and use case.
Option A
Amaretto Sour
Reach for Amaretto Sour when you want something Sweet and Citrus, or you want something on the lighter, more sessionable side.
Option B
Whiskey Sour
Reach for Whiskey Sour when you want something Lemon and Citrus, or you want a spirit-forward, punchy drink.
Quick verdict
Whiskey Sour is noticeably lighter in calories (240 kcal difference). Whiskey Sour is stronger at 32.6% ABV vs 6.0% for Amaretto Sour. Amaretto Sour is sweeter — Whiskey Sour is the drier choice.
Amaretto Sour vs Whiskey Sour — at a glance
| Metric | Amaretto Sour | Whiskey Sour |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (est.) | 399kcal | 159kcal↓ |
| Sugar (est.) | 66.5g | 1.9g↓ |
| Carbs (est.) | 74.7g | 3.3g↓ |
| ABV | 6% | 32.6% |
| US standard drinks | 0.80 | 1.50 |
| Ingredient count | 4↓ | 5 |
| Glass | Cordial Or Pony Glass | Old-Fashioned Glass |
| Drink type | Cocktail | Cocktail |
↓ = lower in this metric. Nutrition values are estimates. — = data not available.
Taste difference
Both drinks share Citrus and Lemon character. Amaretto Sour adds Sweet on top. Whiskey Sour leans more Tart.
Nutrition difference
Whiskey Sour is meaningfully lower in estimated calories (240 kcal difference). Keep in mind alcohol contributes calories even without sugar, so ABV matters too.
When to choose each
→ Amaretto Sour
Reach for Amaretto Sour when you want something Sweet and Citrus, or you want something on the lighter, more sessionable side.
→ Whiskey Sour
Reach for Whiskey Sour when you want something Lemon and Citrus, or you want a spirit-forward, punchy drink.
Recipe data
Nutrition values are estimates based on standard recipe quantities.
Methodology
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between amaretto-sour and whiskey-sour?
- The most noticeable difference is in flavor profile and ingredient structure. Amaretto-sour and Whiskey-sour are built around different spirits or flavor combinations. The nutrition comparison on this page shows how they differ on calories, sugar, and alcohol — but flavor is usually the deciding factor.
- What does a amaretto-sour taste like?
- Amaretto-sour has a distinct flavor defined by its core ingredients. The tasting notes and flavor tags on this page draw from WhatDrink recipe data. See the individual amaretto-sour page for a full flavor breakdown.
- What does a whiskey-sour taste like?
- Whiskey-sour has a different character shaped by its own ingredient combination. The comparison table above highlights how the two drinks differ on flavor direction as well as nutrition.
- Can you substitute a amaretto-sour for a whiskey-sour?
- They differ enough that a direct substitution will change the drink meaningfully. If you enjoy both flavors, you can swap in some contexts — a bartender can usually advise on the closest adaptation.
- Which is lower in calories?
- The comparison table above shows the estimated calorie difference from WhatDrink recipe data. The actual gap depends on the specific recipe and portion size used. Neither should be assumed to be "low calorie" without checking the number.
- When should I order a amaretto-sour vs a whiskey-sour?
- Amaretto-sour tends to suit different occasions and moods than Whiskey-sour. The "When to choose" section above gives a side-by-side guide based on flavor intensity, ABV, and occasion fit from WhatDrink data.
- Which is stronger?
- ABV estimates for both drinks are shown in the comparison table. Strength depends on the recipe — some variations of amaretto-sour are stronger than some versions of whiskey-sour and vice versa. Always check the specific recipe.