Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sour recipe (2024)

This easy Whiskey Sour recipe gives a classic co*cktail a twist with the addition of seasonal Meyer lemon juice. It’s a delicious batch co*cktail for your next party!

Batch co*cktails are key to stress-free entertaining. Not only can you make them in advance, they also free up your time during the party so you don’t have to be stuck playing bartender for everyone.

When most people think of batch co*cktails, recipes for margaritas, sangria and punch come to mind. But have you ever considered serving a pitcher of whiskey sours? To me, they are the perfect cool weather co*cktail.

These make-ahead Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sours are simple, seasonal and totally refreshing.

Sounds like 5-star party libation to me!

Ingredients

If you trace the origins of the whiskey sour, you’ll find they were made with 3 ingredients: whiskey, fresh lemon juice and sugar. This homemade Meyer Lemon version has four ingredients:

• Whiskey
• Fresh meyer lemon juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Simple syrup (Did you know you can make simple syrup at home? It's so cheap and easy!)

What is a meyer lemon?

For those of you who’ve never enjoyed a meyer lemon, they are a cross between a mandarin orange and a regular lemon.

They have a darker color and are smaller and rounder than regular lemons with a smoother, thinner skin like a mandarin. Generally available in grocery stores from November through May, you’ll most often find meyer lemons sold by the bag rather than individually.

The rumor mill claims you can eat meyer lemons like regular fruit as they are sweeter than your average lemon. I’m not sold on that idea (still too much pucker for my taste), but the combination of fresh meyer lemon and lime juices gives the "made from scratch" sour its unique flavor in this co*cktail recipe.

Instructions

These Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sours are super simple to make and great for parties.

Step one: Squeeze juices from your lemons and limes. I love to use this handheld juicer to get every last drop from my citrus fruit. Easy to clean and store, too.

I also like to strain my juices through a sieve before adding it to my co*cktails. Keeps me and my guests from walking around all night with pulp in our teeth! (Never a good look.)

Note: You can squeeze your lemons and limes up to two days in advance before the flavor of the juice starts to slowly degrade.

Step two: Stir together whiskey, juices and simple syrup in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 4 hours).

Step three: Pour whiskey sours into ice-filled low ball glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries and meyer lemon chunks on co*cktail picks.

Tip: This recipe is written as a batch co*cktail because if you’re going through all the effort of juicing those lemons and limes, why not make a pitcher-full and invite friends over? That said, if you’re flying solo and craving a whiskey sour, simply scale down the recipe to get the number of drinks you need.

FAQs

Make ahead tips

Make this whiskey sour recipe in advance to save your sanity before guests arrive. Juice your lemons and limes the morning of your party and combine with simple syrup in a pitcher.

Before your guests arrive, either add the whiskey to the pitcher or set out the bottle for folks to add to their own co*cktails. Waaay low maintenance for you and fun for your guests.

More whiskey co*cktails

• Cranberry Whiskey Sours - A seasonal twist on a whiskey sour made with cranberries and oranges.
• Ginger Whiskey drinks - These simple, 3-ingredient whiskey co*cktails are always a hit. Super easy and super refreshing.
• Bourbon & Apple Cider co*cktails - Love hot toddies? You need to try this cool-weather co*cktail made with fresh apple cider.
• Bourbon & Aperol co*cktails - Never tried Aperol before? This smooth co*cktail is the perfect place to start. Makes a great Thanksgiving signature co*cktail, too, because of its striking color.
• Spiced Apple Cider Whiskey Sour - Another co*cktail that is tailor-made for fall.
• Gold Rush co*cktail with bourbon and ginger liqueur - If you need me, I'll be sipping one of these tangy co*cktails by the fire.
• Perfect Manhattan co*cktail - Everyone needs to know how to make this classic co*cktail. Our recipe makes it easy to impress your guests with a mixologist-worthy drink.

You can find even more whiskey drinks and batch co*cktails in our archives!

Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 

Recipe

This make-ahead Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sour recipe makes a pitcher of whiskey co*cktails that always disappear at happy hour. Perfect signature drink for parties and the holidays!