Comparison
Penicillin vs Whiskey Sour
If you're choosing between Penicillin and Whiskey Sour, 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
Penicillin
Reach for Penicillin when you want something Honey and Sweet.
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 (49 kcal difference). Whiskey Sour is stronger at 32.6% ABV vs 24.8% for Penicillin. Penicillin is sweeter — Whiskey Sour is the drier choice.
Penicillin vs Whiskey Sour — at a glance
| Metric | Penicillin | Whiskey Sour |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (est.) | 208kcal | 159kcal↓ |
| Sugar (est.) | 9.7g | 1.9g↓ |
| Carbs (est.) | 10.7g | 3.3g↓ |
| ABV | 24.8% | 32.6% |
| US standard drinks | 1.51 | 1.50 |
| Ingredient count | 5 | 5 |
| Glass | Old-Fashioned Glass | Old-Fashioned Glass |
| Drink type | Cocktail | Cocktail |
↓ = lower in this metric. Nutrition values are estimates. — = data not available.
Taste difference
Penicillin leads with Honey, Sweet, Oak notes. Whiskey Sour is more Lemon, Citrus, Tart. If one profile fits your mood better than the other, that is likely the deciding call.
Nutrition difference
Whiskey Sour is meaningfully lower in estimated calories (49 kcal difference). Keep in mind alcohol contributes calories even without sugar, so ABV matters too.
When to choose each
→ Penicillin
Reach for Penicillin when you want something Honey and Sweet.
→ 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 Penicillin and Whiskey Sour?
- They differ in their overall build, flavor balance, ingredients, strength, serving style, or some combination of those factors. The nutrition comparison on this page shows how they differ on calories, sugar, and alcohol — but flavor and build are usually the deciding factors.
- What does a Penicillin taste like?
- Penicillin 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 Penicillin 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 Penicillin 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 Penicillin vs a Whiskey Sour?
- Penicillin 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 Penicillin are stronger than some versions of Whiskey Sour and vice versa. Always check the specific recipe.