Cocktails

New York Sour

New York Sour is an alcoholic cocktail built on Blended Whiskey. It leans citrus and oak. Shaken and served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. Expect about 21.2% ABV and roughly 215 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic21.2% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

215 kcalCalories

21.2%ABV

5.8gSugar

9.7gCarbs

1.84Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Advancedblended drink

Why: 6 ingredients, blended drink, requires shaker, blender

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2 ozBlended whiskeyBase Spirit
Juice of 1/2LemonFruit
1 tspSugarSweetener
(Claret)\nRed wineFortified Wine
to tasteLemonFruit
1 garnishCherryGarnish

How to Make It

Shake blended whiskey, juice of lemon, and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a whiskey Sour glass.Shaken
Float claret on top.Top
Decorate with the half-slice of lemon and the cherry and serve.Serve

How to Serve

Glass: Whiskey Sour Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Blended

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Oak

Supporting notes

Tart Sweet Spice Vanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Sugar1 tsp

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes: Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated July 12, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a New York Sour?: The New York Sour is a cocktail made with 6 ingredients, traditionally served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 21.2%. A standard serving contains approximately 215 calories.
What does a New York Sour taste like?: New York Sour has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Oak, Tart. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a New York Sour?: The New York Sour has an ABV of approximately 21.2%. That's approximately 1.84 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 215 kcal, 5.8g sugar, 9.7g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
What drinks are similar to a New York Sour?: If you enjoy New York Sour, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a New York Sour at home?: Yes. The New York Sour uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Whiskey Sour Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of New York Sour with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.