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A Jameson Whiskey Sour is a simple three-ingredient cocktail that allows Jameson Irish Whiskey to shine in a whole new way. The balance of tartness and a hint of sweet with the spirit is an instant favorite for cocktail hour. Serves 1.
I think I was in college the first time I tried a cocktail with Jameson in it. It actually used to be a favorite of an old college boyfriend of mine, and so I got to know it very quickly while I was dating him.
Of course, this was back in the day when the only way I understood how to drink spirits was with a simple base like soda, tonic, or ginger ale – or shots (excuse me while I shudder… Why did I ever do that to myself? The idea of taking a straight shot of ANYTHING now sounds like the most painful thing in the world…)
My enjoyment of Jameson was put on hold after one too many shots, until I started putting it in the classic cocktails I began to love in my late 20’s. Classics like the Jameson Old Fashioned and Jameson Manhattan became the new way to enjoy Jameson, especially in anticipation of celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day.
Whether you are a fan of Jameson, or are just looking for a new way to enjoy Irish whiskey for St. Patrick’s Day, this Jameson whiskey sour is going to be an instant hit.
It’s only three ingredients, so it doesn’t get much simpler than this to make! The cocktail is also incredibly easy to batch together – you can make up to 3 or 4 in a single shaker if you want. The best part? The flavor of the Jameson really comes through in every single sip.
ingredients
Jameson – obviously, Jameson Irish Whiskey is the main ingredient for this cocktail! Of course, if there’s a different Irish whiskey you prefer, you can also swap the Jameson out for that.
lemon juice – I always recommend fresh lemon juice because store-bought tends to taste a lot more sour, in my opinion at least.
simple syrup – you can pick this up at your local store (liquor or grocery!), but I prefer to just make it at home. All you need are equal parts water and sugar. Bring to a boil in a saucepan and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cool, and store in the refrigerator! I usually make mine in batches of 2 c sugar/2 c water.
this recipe’s must haves
You will need a cocktail shaker and a jigger to make this cocktail. I also like to have a cocktail strainer handy as well.
For serving, I recommend one of these double old fashioned glasses.
You can also elevate things a bit with coupe glasses if you prefer.
here’s how to make a jameson whiskey sour
shake
Add Jameson, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake well until the cocktail is chilled through completely.
strain
Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice (or a chilled glass if you are using a coupe glass).
garnish
Garnish with half an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately!
Need some more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my booze recipes page!
tips for success
Too sour? Well, that is kind of the point of the whiskey sour, to be mostly sour. However, if you want to adjust the ratio, you can add a touch more simple syrup as desired.
Batching made easy. This cocktail is easy to double, triple, or even quadruple. Just make sure you aren’t overfilling your cocktail shaker, otherwise it will spill everywhere when you shake.
what to serve this with a jameson whiskey sour
You all know that I am a big fan of cocktail hour, especially when there are appetizers to go with it. Personally, I like to keep with the theme of Irish goodies here, so the recipes below are all recommendations along that train of thought.
- Need a light snack to nosh on? These Irish Corned Beef Nacho Bites are so much fun!
- Instant Pot Irish Beef Stew is a shortcut way to get your beef stew fix, without cooking it for hours.
- You all know I love poutine, so of course I had to make a corned beef poutine! Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day parties.
- Fish and chips was my favorite meal to get in Ireland when I visited years ago, and this beer battered fish and chips is the best way to get your fix right at home!
- Irish stout french onion soup is a comforting meal on a cold spring night!
If you are looking for another sour to try out, the classic Boston sour is a favorite for anyone who loves a good sour cocktail. For something with Irish whiskey that is lemon focused, this refreshing Irish lemonade recipe is a surefire win!
Jameson Whiskey Sour
ingredients
- 2 oz Jameson
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- Garnish: 1/2 orange wheel Maraschino cherry
instructions
- Add Jameson, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, cover, and shake well until very cold, about 20 seconds.
- Strain cocktail into a old fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.
Where’s the egg white?
A whiskey sour actually isn’t always made with an egg white! It’s an optional ingredient and I opted to not use it for this particular cocktail. If you prefer yours with one, just add the egg white to the shaker and follow instructions as noted 🙂
If you are going to use egg white, you should put that in first and shake to make sure it’s going to froth up properly. If the egg is too cold or you get any yolk, it may not froth properly. Once you confirm it’s good, then you add the other ingredients and shake.
Maraschino cherries are trash and should never be used in a sour or old fashioned. Luxardo cherries are the only acceptable type of cherry for these drinks. You should also not be filling the glass with ice. Ice goes in the shaker to chill then strain. Not everyone likes egg white in their whiskey sours, so that’s not a big deal although it adds texture and class to the drink with a couple shakes of bitters on top.
Everyone is welcome to their opinions! Thanks for sharing yours! These recipes are always meant as a starting point, so please do customize as you see fit. Definitely agree that luxardo cherries are superior!