Simple Whiskey Sour

Whiskey sour ingredients are as simple as they come: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a spoonful of sugar, and plenty of whiskey. For a Boston sour, add an egg white, too.

New York Sour

This simple twist on the whiskey sour made the rounds for several decades during the late 19th century under an assortment of names. A base of American whiskey (rye is the desired variety here) is fleshed out with a little fresh lemon juice and smoothed over with a touch of sugar; the crowning touch comes with a float of dry red wine.

Kumquat Whiskey Sour

This recipe for a kumquat whiskey sour by Feizal Valli at the Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama is perfect for a little winter pick-me-up. It pairs the bright, zesty flavor of kumquats, fresh lemon, and lime juice with the rich warmth of whiskey. It's perfectly balanced and a little dangerous—it's so delicious, you're going to want more than one.

EVR's Whiskey Sour

Two whiskeys (Irish and single-malt Scotch) come together in this rich, leathery-textured sour from Orson Salicetti of EVR in New York.

Grilled Peach Whiskey Sour

Tangy tamarind soda adds a surprise twist to this grilled peach and bourbon drink. The soda and peaches are just sweet enough that no extra sugar is needed.

Frisco Sour

A complex rye cocktail in which Benedictine plays a small but delicious role, the Frisco Sour marries the spiciness of rye to the sweet herbal qualities of Benedictine. But because Benedictine's sweetness can so easily overpower other ingredients, it's held in check here by lemon juice. In this dry, bracing drink, rye takes the forefront.

Blueberries + Bourbon

I've taken to smashing a few blueberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then adding bourbon, lemon and simple syrup, then giving it a good shake. Once the whole thing has been strained into a glass, I like to lighten it a with a bit of seltzer and a squeeze of lemon peel.

DIY Sour Mix

The true beauty of this homemade sour mix is having a fresh, versatile, and easy cocktail mixer for parties that's infinitely more delicious than store-bought mix.

Watermelon-Mint Shrub with Watermelon Spoom

Shrubs have been gaining in popularity lately. An old-timey way of preserving, they generally involve fruit, sugar and vinegar, and make quite a refreshing beverage if well-balanced.

Lemongrass Sour

Lemongrass infused vodka—combined with lemon bitters suspended on a head of eggwhite foam—makes for a light and delicately citrusy spring cocktail.