5 fruity and fun alternatives to the classic whisky sour cocktail

The whisky sour has been a beloved cocktail for over one and a half centuries. Thought to be one of the oldest styles of mixed drinks, it combines citrus, sugar and whisky to create a classic tart flavoured cocktail with a rich and silky texture. 

Its simple ingredients also make the whisky sour easy to recreate. From extra sweetness to fruit and spice, there are plenty of alternative fruity and sweet drink recipes to try.

So without further ado, here’s our shortlist of the best whisky sour variations. Mix them up at home or make your very own remix with The Glenlivet whisky.

Before you get cracking on your twisted whisky sours, first you’ll need to know how to make the traditional drink. 

The good news is that the whisky sour is a super simple cocktail and hasn’t changed much since it was first drunk over 150 years ago. 

Two parts whisky to one part lemon juice is added to a shaker with 0.5 parts simple syrup for extra sweetness. Then all you need to do is shake, shake, shake with ice! Strain and serve, or add egg white and shake again for a frothy layer.

Bookmark our Whisky Sour cocktail recipe for your future cocktail making. You never know when you might fancy a round.

The Whisky Sour’s simplicity is what makes this cocktail so timeless. But they also make it a great drink to customise. Most flavours will pair beautifully with the lemon tang, from herby infusions to fruity additions such as berries, passion fruit and rosemary. But don’t be afraid to get creative. From syrups and preserves to extra liqueur, you can experiment with almost anything.

Here are five whisky sour recipes to get you started:

Give a classic recipe a fresh, berry twist with the Blackberry Sour. This simple recipe brings out the complex flavours of forest fruits, tart lemon and The Glenlivet scotch whisky to create a rich, luscious looking cocktail that tastes distinctively fruity.

Serve to friends before an alfresco dinner party or enjoy as a standalone drink on a summer’s evening. It’s a cocktail that’s designed to impress.

Take your sour to a new level of decadence with the Orchard Shelter. This twisted whisky sour is our very own creation, inspired by autumn afternoons in Scotland (the rainy kind that requires a serene, comforting cocktail).

The addition of fig liqueur and pear brandy adds a beautiful sweetness and rich pinkish colour to the whisky and lemon mix. Garnish with a quarter of a ripe fig for extra glamour.

If you like your sour with a side of sweet, then give this whisky sour variation a go. Meet the Maple Whisky Sour, a favourite for brunch, lunch and after dinner drinks.

The naturally caramelly flavour of maple syrup balances the fresh sharpness of lemon, perfectly complimenting the creamy, smooth notes of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old whisky. It’s classic, sophisticated and wonderfully easy to make.

You don’t need to make a supermarket trip for this cocktail recipe. It simply calls for a store cupboard staple; marmalade.

The orangey twist really puts the sour in whisky sour, adding a generous teaspoon of tangy marmalade into your cocktail shaker. Garnish your Marmalade Whisky Sour with a couple of orange slices and voila! You’re all set!

The Maple New York Sour; another recipe inspired by our Canadian friends. This tangy, syrupy serve is a twist on the Whisky Sour’s close cousin, the New York Sour, a classic cocktail that adds a sumptuous float of red wine to the lemon and whisky base.

This variation calls for a dash of maple syrup to add a hint of sweetness. The perfect digestif to serve among friends.

Looking for more cocktails to make your own or wanting to explore all our sour cocktails? Discover our collection of whisky drink recipes that features classics, simple serves and creative recipes to challenge your cocktail making skills. You can also get more tips on making the most of your The Glenlivet whisky including our guide to infusing whisky (link TBC) and variations on the Whisky Smash.