A whiskey sour has three ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Actually four, if you are like me and like an egg white foam on your whiskey sours.

Whiskey lemonade, which is literally whiskey and lemonade, is essentially the same drink with less effort. If your lemonade is fresh-squeezed and not too sweet, the gap between the two is smaller than you’d think.

Which whiskey?

Bourbon is the easy choice. The caramel and vanilla in a good bourbon play off the tartness of lemon in a natural, balanced way rather than being too sweet. Four Roses, Maker’s Mark, or Buffalo Trace are all solid picks at a reasonable price.

Rye whiskey makes a drier, spicier version. The pepper notes in rye pair differently with lemon acidity than they do with bourbon, and some people prefer it. Rittenhouse or Bulleit Rye are worth trying (and I just got some Bulleit on sale at BevMo!).

Irish whiskey, which tends to be lighter and smoother, produces the most approachable version. It’s a good call if you’re making this for people who don’t usually drink whiskey.

Which lemonade?

Fresh-squeezed lemonade, like most citrus drinks, makes a better drink. It’s more tart and more like actual lemons.

If you make your own, keep the sweetness to a minimum. A ratio of 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and 2 oz water per serving gives you a solid base, but I’d add even more water. Pull back on the simple syrup if you want more tartness.

Store-bought Simply Lemonade is the best grocery store option. It runs a little sweet, so a squeeze of extra lemon juice helps.

What are the ratios?

Start with 2 oz whiskey to 4 oz lemonade. With fresh-squeezed, you can go a little heavier on the lemon because the tartness will hold up.

Garnish

A lemon wheel on the rim is the classic way to garnish a whiskey lemonade cocktail. A drizzle of honey across the top before serving adds sweetness and a little visual appeal.

Check out more in our cocktail garnishes guide.

3-Ingredient Upgrade: Honey Glow-Up

Add a quarter to half an ounce of honey stirred into the lemonade before building the drink. Honey adds floral sweetness that complements whiskey in a completely different way than simple syrup does. This version is close to a Bee’s Knees with whiskey instead of gin. Even better, make the lemonade with honey instead of sugar.

A citrus juicer for fresh lemon and a long cocktail stirrer to dissolve the honey are the only tools you really need.

Mocktail Version

Mix together fresh lemonade with sparkling water and a drizzle of honey. Use a 3:1 ratio of lemonade to sparkling water. The honey adds enough complexity that the drink is interesting without the whiskey.

Non-alcoholic whiskey also subs in well here if you want the warmth and caramel notes without the alcohol.

Batching for summer

This is a great pitcher drink. Mix 1 cup bourbon with 4 cups fresh lemonade and refrigerate. Pour over ice in individual glasses once you are ready to store.

Stored in mason jars, the lemonade base keeps in the fridge for up to five days.

Whiskey and bourbon cocktails to try next:

• Cardamom Hot Honey Whiskey Sour
• Maple Pear Whiskey Sour
• Earl Grey Maple Sour

More 2-Ingredient Bourbon and Whiskey Cocktails:

• Bourbon Cola
• Bourbon & Soda
• Bourbon & Sweet Tea
• Whiskey Apple
• Whiskey Coffee
• Whiskey Coke
• Whiskey Ginger
• Whiskey Lemonade

Whiskey Lemonade

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 4 oz lemonade (fresh-squeezed preferred)
• Lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add whiskey.
3. Top with lemonade and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Honey Glow-Up (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• ¼ to ½ oz honey
• 4 oz fresh lemonade
• Lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

1. Stir honey into lemonade until dissolved.
2. Fill a highball glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey.
4. Top with honey lemonade and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel.