Cocktails

Scotch Sour

Scotch Sour is an alcoholic cocktail built on Scotch. It leans citrus and tart. Shaken and served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. Expect about 29.9% ABV and roughly 122 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic29.9% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

122 kcalCalories

29.9%ABV

1.8gSugar

3.4gCarbs

1.13Std 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?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 5 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ozScotchBase Spirit
Juice of 1/2LimeFruit
1/2 tspPowdered sugarSweetener
1/2 sliceLemonFruit
1CherryGarnish

How to Make It

Shake scotch, juice of lime, and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a whiskey Sour glass.Shaken
Decorate with 1/2 slice lemon, top with the cherry, and serve.Top

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Tart

Supporting notes

Sweet Honey Oak

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

High ABV
Dry finish
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Seafood DinnerSuggested from its lemon and citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

Seafood Ceviche Salads

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

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

Powdered Sugar1/2 tsp

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes: Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.

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 Scotch Sour?: The Scotch Sour is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 29.9%. A standard serving contains approximately 122 calories.
What does a Scotch Sour taste like?: Scotch Sour has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Tart, Sweet. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Scotch Sour?: Scotch Sour pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Scotch Sour?: The Scotch Sour has an ABV of approximately 29.9%. That's approximately 1.13 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 122 kcal, 1.8g sugar, 3.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Scotch Sour typically served?: Scotch Sour is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Scotch Sour?: If you enjoy Scotch 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 Scotch Sour at home?: Yes. The Scotch Sour uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward 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 Scotch 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.