National Whiskey Sour Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cocktail Drinking Liquor
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every August 25
Holiday emoji:: 🥃

National Whiskey Sour Day arrives every August 25, inviting cocktail enthusiasts to raise a glass to this beloved classic. A perfect blend of sweet, sour, and spirit, the whiskey sour is a timeless drink. Mix up your own at home, visit your favorite bar for a professional pour, or explore new variations on this iconic libation.

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Expected National Whiskey Sour Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Whiskey Sour Day often brings spirited deals. Look for special pricing on whiskey sour ingredients at retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo!. Local bars and restaurants, including chains like TGI Fridays and Applebee’s, are likely to offer discounted whiskey sours or themed cocktail menus. Craft distilleries such as Buffalo Trace and Four Roses might feature special releases or tasting events. Even home bar suppliers like Cocktail Kingdom could have sales on shakers and jiggers. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 25 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Whiskey Sour Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #WhiskeySourDay. Film a quick tutorial on making your favorite whiskey sour variation, or share a ‘day in the life’ featuring your celebratory drink.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WhiskeySourDay. Post a visually appealing photo of your perfectly crafted whiskey sour, or a carousel of different garnishes and glassware.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #WhiskeySourDay. Share your favorite whiskey sour recipe, debate the best whiskey for the drink, or tweet about local bar specials.

National Whiskey Sour Day Hero

Jerry Thomas

Often hailed as 'the Father of American Mixology,' Jerry Thomas (1830–1885) was a legendary bartender who popularized cocktails in the mid-19th century. His seminal 1862 work, 'How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant's Companion,' included one of the earliest published recipes for a whiskey sour, cementing its place in cocktail history.

History of National Whiskey Sour Day

We don’t really know how National Whiskey Sour Day came about but the origin of this drink is well detailed in history. In fact, the oldest known mention of whiskey sour has been found in the Wisconsin publication of the Waukesha Plain Dealer some 100 years ago! In the mid-1900s, a story was printed in the “El Comercio de Iquique” that credited one Elliott Stubb with the invention of the drink. It is believed that the oldest whiskey available was packaged sometime between 1851 and 1858 — it is getting close to celebrating its 170th birthday!

Whiskey Sour Day was probably started to celebrate the creation of this delicious drink, and its unchallenged popularity as one of the most beloved bar drinks across the world. So popular is this drink that you will find it in the name of several books, multiple songs, and even articles that have nothing to do with the drink itself.

If you want to serve this cocktail as you would in a bar, then along with the ingredients listed above, you will have to garnish the drink with a maraschino cherry and half of an orange slice. Even with its simple recipe, the drink never fails to pack a punch. A whiskey sour is normally shaken and then it is served either over ice or straight up. The popularity of the drink has led to the creation of similar cocktails. Mixologists experiment with different types of whiskeys and bourbons, replace sugar with a different kind of syrups and top it off with their choice of citruses.

National Whiskey Sour Day timeline

2nd Millenium B.C.

Whiskey Distillation

The Babylonians in Mesopotamia start distilling whiskey.

1st Century A.D.

Chemical Distillation

Greeks in Alexandria start chemical distillation methods.

18th Century

Whiskey as Currency

Whiskey is used as currency during the American Revolution.

1820s

Whiskey Comes to India

The first distillery in India is built by Edward Dyer at Kasauli.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day

Local bars and restaurants can celebrate National Whiskey Sour Day by featuring classic and creative variations on their menus, perhaps with a flight of mini sours. Liquor stores can host in-store tastings or offer discounts on whiskey, lemon juice, and bitters. Even non-alcoholic brands can join in by promoting mocktail sour recipes. Consider partnering with a local distillery for a special event or offering a ‘build-your-own’ whiskey sour kit for customers to take home.

National Whiskey Sour Day FAQs

When is National Whiskey Sour Day?

National Whiskey Sour Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, August 25, inviting everyone to enjoy this perfectly balanced cocktail. It’s the ideal mid-week treat to break up the routine.

What are the essential ingredients for a Whiskey Sour?

The classic Whiskey Sour requires just three core ingredients: whiskey (often bourbon or rye), fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup (or sugar). Many recipes also include an egg white for a frothy texture, creating what’s known as a Boston Sour.

What is the history behind the Whiskey Sour?

The Whiskey Sour has a long and storied history, with its origins often traced back to sailors who used citrus to prevent scurvy on long voyages. The first known written recipe appeared in Jerry Thomas’s 1862 ‘Bartender’s Guide,’ solidifying its status as a cocktail staple.

What are some popular variations of the Whiskey Sour?

Beyond the classic, popular variations include the New York Sour, which features a float of dry red wine for added complexity and color. Another popular twist is the Amaretto Sour, where amaretto liqueur replaces some of the whiskey for a sweeter, almond-infused profile.

National Whiskey Sour Day Activities

Enjoy the drink
Treat yourself to a glass or two of whiskey sour on National Whiskey Sour Day. Hit your favorite bar with your friends and treat them to a round of this delicious cocktail.
Go shopping for sours
Shop for as many varieties of sours as you can today — mandarins, oranges, kaffir limes, and bitter lemons make for a great addition to any whiskey sour.
Try a new variation
Tired of drinking the same old concoction? Why not try a different variation of the whiskey sour today? Switch your regular whiskey for rye whiskey, and try a new sour.

5 Facts About Whiskey That Will Blow Your Mind

Aged whiskey is a prized possession
The oldest whiskey is 150 years old.
Whiskey can be pretty expensive too
A Lalique decanter of Macallan ‘M’ whisky was sold for £393,109.
The word has Gaelic roots
It means “the water of life”.
It takes time to age
Whiskey takes about three years to age.
No one knows who invented whiskey
It used to be consumed as a holy drink.

Why We Love National Whiskey Sour Day

It celebrates one of the most beloved cocktails
You will hardly find a bar that doesn’t have whiskey sour on its menu. This day celebrates the cocktail that has taken the bar culture by storm.
A day to experiment
National Whiskey Sour Day is the perfect day to experiment with different kinds of whiskey cocktails. Give the classic whiskey sour a fun new twist, and who knows maybe it will be the next best drink!
A day to celebrate with friends
A drink is best enjoyed in the company of our loved ones, and that’s how we recommend a whiskey sour should be enjoyed. Today is the perfect day to go bar hopping with your friends and sample the cocktail at different locations.