How many standard drinks are in a Whiskey Sour?
Whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
A cocktail's strength is the sum of the alcohol in each ingredient, not just one pour. Based on a typical recipe, a Whiskey Sour contains about 0.8 fl oz of pure alcohol — roughly 1.3 standard drinks.
The recipe and the math
| Ingredient | Amount | ABV | Std drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | 2 oz | 40% | 1.33 |
| Lemon + simple syrup | 1.25 oz | — | 0 |
| Total | 3.3 oz | 24.6% | 1.3 |
One US standard drink is 0.6 fl oz of pure alcohol. A heavier pour or a stronger recipe pushes the number up fast — see what counts as a standard drink or the standard drink calculator to check your own.
Calories aren't shown here because they depend heavily on mixers — juice, syrup, and cream vary widely. For a rough single-ingredient estimate, use the alcohol calorie calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many standard drinks are in a Whiskey Sour?
A typical Whiskey Sour works out to about 1.3 US standard drinks. That's the sum of the pure alcohol in each spirit — 0.8 fl oz total — divided by 0.6 fl oz per standard drink.
How strong is a Whiskey Sour?
Across about 3.3 oz of finished drink, a Whiskey Sour averages roughly 24.6% ABV. Strength varies with the exact pour and recipe.