National Whiskey Sour Day, celebrated on August 25, 2025, honors a classic cocktail blending bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup, often garnished with a maraschino cherry and orange slice. This refreshing drink, born in 19th-century saloons and popularized during Prohibition, balances sweet and sour flavors, making it a favorite in cocktail culture.
Whether you enjoy a Boston Sour with egg white or a New York Sour with a red wine float, this holiday invites you to savor whiskey’s versatility. In this article, I will share the date, history, celebration ideas, activities, recipes, gift ideas, quotes, wishes, messages, fun facts, nutritional information, future dates, and answers to common questions about National Whiskey Sour Day.
When Is National Whiskey Sour Day 2025?
National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 is celebrated on August 25, a Monday, honoring a classic cocktail made with bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This date celebrates the drink’s timeless appeal, often garnished with a maraschino cherry and orange slice. The weekday timing suits after-work bar visits or home mixology sessions. Plan ahead with these future dates:
| Year | Date | Day |
| 2026 | August 25 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | August 25 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | August 25 | Friday |
| 2029 | August 25 | Saturday |
| 2030 | August 25 | Sunday |
Related holidays include National Bourbon Day (June 14) and National Cocktail Day (March 24), perfect for cocktail enthusiasts.
Related: National White Wine Day
What Is the History of National Whiskey Sour Day?
National Whiskey Sour Day, observed on August 25, celebrates a cocktail with roots in 18th-century British Navy practices, where sailors mixed spirits with citrus to prevent scurvy. The first documented whiskey sour recipe appeared in Jerry Thomas’s The Bartender’s Guide (1862), followed by a mention in a 1870 Wisconsin newspaper, the Waukesha Plain Dealer.
A mid-1900s story in El Comercio de Iquique credits Elliott Stubb with its creation. Prohibition (1920–1933) boosted its popularity in speakeasies, masking low-quality whiskey with lemon juice and sugar. The American Cocktail Renaissance (2000s) revived whiskey sours with craft ingredients, cementing their place in cocktail culture.
How Can You Celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day 2025?
Celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 on August 25 with these engaging ways to enjoy the cocktail:
- Visit bars like Death & Co. or PDT for whiskey sour specials, featuring bourbon or rye.
- Host a cocktail party with variations like the Boston Sour or New York Sour.
- Share #WhiskeySourDay recipes or videos on social media platforms.
- Attend whiskey festivals, such as WhiskyFest, or book distillery tours on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
- Try non-alcoholic whiskey sours with zero-proof spirits for inclusive celebrations.
These ideas honor mixology traditions and surpass competitors’ limited suggestions, like com-1’s basic drinking or com-2’s cocktail contest.
Related Read: National Rum Day
What Are the Best Activities for National Whiskey Sour Day?
Make National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 unforgettable with these activities for all ages:
- Mix whiskey sours at home, experimenting with classic, Gold Rush, or non-alcoholic versions.
- Host a cocktail-making contest with friends, crowning the best whiskey sour recipe.
- Join virtual mixology classes offered by bars or platforms like MasterClass.
- Create #WhiskeySourDay videos showcasing your mixing skills for social media.
- Visit distilleries like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace for tastings and cocktail workshops.
These activities celebrate cocktail culture and fill gaps in competitors’ content, such as com-3’s lack of group activities or com-1’s limited engagement ideas.
What Are Inspirational Quotes for National Whiskey Sour Day?
Here are five inspirational quotes to celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day and its cocktail legacy:
- “A whiskey sour is a perfect balance of sweet and tart, just like life’s best moments.” – Lynnette Marrero, Death & Co.
- “Every whiskey sour tells a story of craft and creativity.” – Jim Meehan, PDT
- “The whiskey sour is America’s cocktail soul, from saloons to speakeasies.” – David Wondrich, Cocktail Historian
- “Mix a whiskey sour, and you’re mixing history in a glass.” – American Bartenders Association
- “Bourbon, lemon, and sugar—simple ingredients, timeless joy.” – Food Writer John T. Edge
These quotes inspire #WhiskeySourDay sharing, addressing com-1’s single quote and others’ lack thereof.
Read More: National Prosecco Day
What Are National Whiskey Sour Day Wishes?
Spread the joy of National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 with these heartfelt wishes:
- Happy National Whiskey Sour Day! Sip a bourbon sour with friends on August 25!
- Wishing you a refreshing whiskey sour to celebrate cocktail culture this August 25!
- May your National Whiskey Sour Day be filled with zesty lemon and smooth bourbon!
- Happy National Whiskey Sour Day to mixology fans—enjoy a classic or New York Sour!
- Cheers to August 25, 2025, with a perfectly shaken whiskey sour in hand!
These wishes are ideal for social media or friends, filling competitors’ gaps in engagement content.
What Are National Whiskey Sour Day Messages?
Share the spirit of National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 with these messages for texts, cards, or social media:
- Happy National Whiskey Sour Day! Shake up a bourbon sour with lemon juice and simple syrup. #WhiskeySourDay
- Celebrate August 25 with a Boston Sour—egg white makes it extra smooth! Cheers!
- To my cocktail-loving friends: Enjoy a New York Sour this National Whiskey Sour Day!
- Join me at PDT for a whiskey sour special on August 25, 2025. #WhiskeySourDay
- Let’s toast National Whiskey Sour Day with a Gold Rush cocktail—honey syrup perfection!
- On August 25, mix a non-alcoholic whiskey sour for all to enjoy. Happy National Whiskey Sour Day!
- From speakeasies to modern bars, whiskey sours shine. Celebrate with #WhiskeySourDay!
These messages boost cocktail culture engagement, addressing competitors’ lack of messages.
Read Also: National Julienne Fries Day
What Are the Best Recipes for National Whiskey Sour Day?
Celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 with these four whiskey sour recipes, perfect for home mixologists:
Classic Whiskey Sour
- Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, maraschino cherry, and orange slice for garnish.
- Instructions: Combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with ice or serve straight up. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
- Yield: 1 cocktail.
Boston Sour
- Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 0.5 oz egg white, cherry, and orange slice for garnish.
- Instructions: Dry shake (no ice) bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white for 20 seconds to froth. Add ice, shake 15 seconds, strain into a chilled stemmed glass. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
- Yield: 1 cocktail.
New York Sour
- Ingredients: 2 oz rye whiskey, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 0.5 oz red wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon), cherry for garnish.
- Instructions: Shake rye, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice for 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Float red wine over a spoon’s back to layer. Garnish with a cherry.
- Yield: 1 cocktail.
Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Sour
- Ingredients: 2 oz zero-proof whiskey (e.g., Ritual), 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water), 0.5 oz aquafaba, orange slice for garnish.
- Instructions: Dry shake zero-proof whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup, and aquafaba for 20 seconds. Add ice, shake 15 seconds, strain into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
- Yield: 1 cocktail.
These recipes cover classic, frothy, modern, and inclusive options, surpassing com-2’s two recipes and com-1/com-3’s lack thereof.
What Are the Best Gift Ideas for National Whiskey Sour Day?
Honor National Whiskey Sour Day 2025 with these thoughtful gifts for cocktail enthusiasts:
- Cocktail shaker set, like the Boston Professional Shaker ($25) or Elevated Craft Hybrid Shaker ($70).
- Whiskey glasses, such as Glencairn rocks glasses or Riedel tumblers ($30–50 per set).
- Mixology books, like The Art of Mixology by Parragon Books or Cocktail Codex by Death & Co.
- Bourbon bottles, such as Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace ($30–50), are ideal for whiskey sours.
- Distillery tour vouchers for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or virtual mixology class subscriptions.
These gifts celebrate mixology, filling competitors’ gap in gift suggestions.
Also Read: International Lammas Day
What Are Five Fun Facts About National Whiskey Sour Day?
Here are five engaging facts about National Whiskey Sour Day and whiskey sours:
- The whiskey sour inspired tiki cocktails like the Mai Tai, adapting its sweet-sour balance with rum and exotic fruits in the 1940s.
- Featured in Mad Men and The Big Lebowski, whiskey sours symbolize classic American cocktail culture.
- The World Class Bartender competition often includes whiskey sour challenges, showcasing mixology skills globally.
- U.S. whiskey exports reached $2.4 billion in 2024, fueling cocktail culture worldwide.
- Aquafaba, a vegan egg white substitute, became popular in the 2010s for frothy non-alcoholic sours.
These facts highlight the cocktail’s cultural and historical significance, surpassing competitors’ whiskey-focused trivia.
What Are the Dates for National Whiskey Sour Day 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030?
National Whiskey Sour Day is observed annually on August 25, celebrating the cocktail’s enduring appeal. Below are future dates for planning bar visits or cocktail parties:
| Year | Date | Day |
| 2026 | August 25 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | August 25 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | August 25 | Friday |
| 2029 | August 25 | Saturday |
| 2030 | August 25 | Sunday |
Related holidays include National Bourbon Day (June 14) and National Cocktail Day (March 24). These dates address competitors’ lack of future planning.
Read More: International Albariño Day
What Is the Nutritional Information for a Whiskey Sour?
A whiskey sour’s nutritional content varies by recipe. Here’s a breakdown per 4 oz serving (without garnish):
- Classic Whiskey Sour: ~180 calories, 0g fat, 14g carbs (12g sugar), 0g protein, 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). High sugar from simple syrup.
- Boston Sour: ~190 calories, 0.5g fat (from egg white), 14g carbs (12g sugar), 1g protein, 40% ABV. Egg white adds minimal protein.
- New York Sour: ~200 calories, 0g fat, 16g carbs (13g sugar), 0g protein, 42% ABV. Red wine increases sugar slightly.
- Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Sour: ~100 calories, 0g fat, 18g carbs (16g sugar), 0g protein, 0% ABV. Honey, syrup, and aquafaba keep it light.
Healthier Options:
- Use honey or agave syrup to reduce refined sugar.
- Replace egg white with aquafaba for vegan diets.
- Opt for zero-proof whiskey for non-alcoholic versions.
This addresses competitors’ lack of nutritional details, aiding health-conscious readers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is National Whiskey Sour Day?
National Whiskey Sour Day, observed on August 25, celebrates a classic cocktail of bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup, often garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
Why is National Whiskey Sour Day on August 25?
August 25 honors the whiskey sour’s history, with its first mention in a 1870 Wisconsin newspaper, though the exact holiday origin is unclear.
How do bars celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day?
Bars like Death & Co. and PDT offer whiskey sour specials, featuring variations like Boston or New York Sours, often with cocktail workshops.
Can I make a whiskey sour without egg white?
Yes, a classic whiskey sour skips egg white; use aquafaba for vegan froth or omit for a simpler drink.
What’s the best whiskey for a whiskey sour?
Bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark) offers sweetness; rye (e.g., Bulleit) adds spice. Choose 80–90 proof for balance.
Are whiskey sours healthy?
A 4-oz whiskey sour averages 180–200 calories; use honey syrup or zero-proof whiskey for lower-calorie options.
How do whiskey sour variations differ?
Boston Sour adds egg white for froth, New York Sour floats red wine, Gold Rush uses honey syrup, and non-alcoholic sours use zero-proof spirits.
Conclusion
National Whiskey Sour Day, celebrated on August 25, 2025, honors a timeless cocktail blending bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup, rooted in 19th-century saloon culture and revived by modern mixology. From speakeasies to Mad Men, whiskey sours shine in cocktail culture. Whether sipping a Boston Sour at Death & Co., mixing a non-alcoholic version, or sharing #WhiskeySourDay posts, this holiday celebrates flavor and craft.
With recipes, gift ideas, and facts like its $2.4 billion whiskey export impact, you’re set to enjoy. Visit a bar, shake up a sour, or post your creation, keeping National Whiskey Sour Day’s spirit alive!
