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Home » Recipes » Christmas Day Recipes

Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour

Published: May 12, 2019 · Modified: Aug 23, 2020 by Debra Clark · 32 Comments

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Whether you like your Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour or Sweet, this classic Wisconsin cocktail is great for grilling and chilling with family and friends! 

Two cocktails filled with Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour garnished with mushrooms and olives.
It's cocktail time and I'm serving up an Old Fashioned!

Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour

When I lived in Wisconsin, supper clubs were a thing! Going to Friday night fish fry's was a blast! If you've never been to a supper club in the midwest, Wisconsin does it right.

You order your dinner and drinks in the bar and when your meal is ready, you're called to your table. Which seems kinda opposite, right? But it was a great opportunity to relax and visit with friends before the meal.

A Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour quickly became my cocktail of choice! Classically this drink would be served with pickled brussels sprouts, mushrooms or asparagus (yes pickled vegetables!) or green olives.

This cocktail can be served sweet - using brandy, a sugar cube and a maraschino cherry - or sour with whiskey and there's something about that sour that made it my favorite!

Whiskey pouring into a cocktail glass with an ice cube.
Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour starts with a great whiskey!

Old Fashioned Cocktail

Grocery list for Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour

  • bourbon or rye whiskey
  • grapefruit soda
  • bitters (optional)
  • pickled vegetables

Start by pouring whiskey over rocks. A dash of bitters? That's up to you!

Top off with "sour" soda. Use your favorite grapefruit flavored soda and garnish with your favorite pickled vegetable.

I know... it sounds kinda sorta strange, right? BUT delicious!

Of course, these taste even more amazing in these gorgeous Joy Jolt whiskey glasses!

What's in an old fashioned?

An Old Fashioned Sour has:

  • Sour Mix or Squirt or Lemon Lime Soda and Seltzer.
  • Whiskey
  • Bitters
  • Pickled Vegetables

What whiskey do you use in an old fashioned?

Use your whiskey of choice and the best your budget can afford. Rye whiskey is a traditional choice. The higher quality whiskey, the better the cocktail.

What kind of cherries go in an old fashioned?

In a Whiskey Old Fashioned Sweet (not sour) you would use Maraschino cherries.

What is the state drink of Wisconsin

Contrary to popular belief (and I can say this because I lived there) the state drink of Wisconsin is milk, not bourbon! 🤣

What is the difference between an old fashioned and a Manhattan?

Great question! An Old Fashioned is made with Bourbon or Rye whiskey, Bitters and grapefruit soda. A Manhattan uses Sweet Vermouth - the Old Fashioned uses plain sugar.
Two cocktail glasses filled with whiskey old fashioned sour cocktail.
Making an Old Fashioned is really quite simple. It's a great party drink!

How to make a Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour

  1. grab your cocktail glass and fill with ice
  2. add equal amounts of whiskey and grapefruit soda
  3. dash of bitters (optional)
  4. garnish with pickled vegetables and enjoy!

More of my favorite cocktails!

  • Lemon Drop Martin
  • Paloma Cocktail Recipe
  • The Last Word Cocktail
  • Sex in the Driveway
  • Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.

More fun cocktail glasses from our sponsor Joy Jolt!

If you love this meal as much as I do, be sure to leave a five-star rating below! Also, I love it when you tag me Instagram with pictures of my recipes!

A glass hold a cocktail garnished with mushrooms and olives.
4.72 from 14 votes

Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour Recipe

A Wisconsin Classic Cocktail Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour
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Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Appetizers, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 2 oz whiskey
  • 2 oz. grapefruit soda
  • 3 pickled mushrooms
  • dash bitters optional

Instructions

  • Fill your cocktail glass with ice cubes.
  • Add whiskey, top with soda.
  • Ganish with your favorite pickled vegetables.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 269mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      4.72 from 14 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Camden says

      February 29, 2024 at 10:53 pm

      I have had many fun times with friends binging on bar food with a old fashioned sour like this in hand. Giving this a go this weekend for sure!

      Reply
    2. Debbie says

      February 26, 2024 at 4:06 pm

      I am so intrigued with this old fashioned sour cocktail recipe! I love trying drinks I've never had before. Thank you for this yummy idea!

      Reply
    3. Alyssa says

      February 22, 2024 at 12:58 pm

      I think my husband will enjoy this old fashioned whiskey sour. I am not much of a whiskey drinker, but he loves to try new whiskey drinks!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        February 22, 2024 at 4:12 pm

        Cool, cheers Alyssa! It's a great cocktail.

        Reply
    4. Kristen says

      February 22, 2024 at 1:51 am

      5 stars
      Is there any way to make an alcohol-free version of an old fashioned sour?

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        February 22, 2024 at 4:07 pm

        Yes you can use non-alcoholic or spiritless bourbon!

        Reply
    5. Brittany says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:50 am

      It's hard to go wrong with an old fashioned sour! I haven't thought to pair it with a few of those garnishes though. I'll have to give them all a try!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        February 14, 2024 at 8:05 pm

        My fav cocktail, cheers!!!

        Reply
    6. Carol Rozek says

      September 15, 2023 at 6:12 pm

      1 star
      You missed the muddled orange, cherry and sugar cube/sugar syrup, or old fashioned mix (for the easy route)

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 15, 2023 at 7:22 pm

        You're referring to a Whiskey Old Fashion Sweet, this is a Whiskey Old Fashioned Sour Carol. Perhaps you need to rethink the rating, since it isn't relevant.

        Reply
        • Rob says

          February 23, 2024 at 3:39 pm

          5 stars
          You are wrong your recipe here is a whiskey sour not old fashion sour. She is correct with the muddle of orange and cherry but you use a sour rather than sweet such as squirt.

          Reply
          • Debra Clark says

            February 23, 2024 at 4:38 pm

            Beg to differ Rob, but the whiskey sour I've enjoyed over the year includes an egg white and lemon juice. But if you've always had them a different way then perhaps we're both right. Regardless, cheers for Friday. Whether you like it sweet or sour, enjoy your Whiskey Old Fashioned!

            Reply
    7. Dave Mikilaitis says

      February 20, 2023 at 3:43 pm

      I have lots of relatives from well north of Green Bay and they NEVER drink brandy old fas.hions. They usuall drink Canadian whiskey old fashions using cheap stuff like LTD and Canadian Club.

      The pickled veggies are key to the drink. But the recipe I got from them requires a single sugar cube, bitters, and ginger ale or Squirt.

      They are not cocktail snobs and have been drinking these for years to get a buzz on.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        February 20, 2023 at 3:50 pm

        Use whatever brand of whiskey or brandy you prefer Dave - there are many ways to make this cocktail. Sounds like what you're referring to is a Whiskey Old Fashioned Sweet, where this recipe is for a sour old fashioned. Cheers and go pack go!

        Reply
    8. Amy Nash says

      May 22, 2019 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      So funny that the state drink is milk instead of bourbon. I love JoyJolt glasses - I have some martini ones that are just beautiful but these ones have such great lines I might need to get them too!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:43 am

        I know, right? I guess I should have known that since it's the dairy state, but still! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kathy says

      May 21, 2019 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      A classic cocktail that is perfect for summer sipping with family and friends around the fire pit!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:52 am

        Most definitely - cheers Kathy!

        Reply
    10. michele says

      May 21, 2019 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      We drink whisky sours often, and had never heard of a whisky sweet! Kind of LOVED it! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:51 am

        You're welcome Michele!

        Reply
    11. Michaela Kenkel says

      May 20, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      5 stars
      This whisky sour was unlike any I had ever had before!! Loved it!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:51 am

        Awesome, glad you enjoyed this cocktail!

        Reply
    12. Sandra Shaffer says

      May 20, 2019 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      My husband orders old fashioned whiskey sours when we go out. He'll love this homemade version with grapefruit soda. Those glasses are super cute!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:50 am

        Thank you Sandra!!

        Reply
    13. Jennifer A Stewart says

      May 20, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      I'll take a half dozen of these once I get this move finished! I love the mushrooms, what a great garnish!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:50 am

        Thank you!! Mushrooms or brussels sprouts totally make the drink Jennifer!

        Reply
    14. Angela says

      May 20, 2019 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Cheers my friend! This is one fantastic sounding cocktail. Love the grapefruit in there!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:49 am

        Awesome - make sure you give it a try Angela!!

        Reply
    15. Julie Menghini says

      May 19, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good whiskey sour! I've never topped them with a picked veggie so will definitely be giving that a try!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 19, 2019 at 6:27 pm

        It's a Wisconsin thing, but so tasty - cheers!!

        Reply
    16. debi at Life Currents says

      May 18, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun summer drink! Sipping grill side - oh so lovely! And I love these glasses that you served this in! So pretty!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 19, 2019 at 6:28 pm

        Thanks Debi!! The glasses are so great for this cocktail, we just love them!!

        Reply
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