The whiskey sour has a long history that traces back to the 1700s, when citrus and spirits were paired out of necessity. Today, we make it for a different reason. Not to escape, not to numb, but to enjoy something balanced, familiar, and grounding. This alcohol-free whiskey sour keeps the ritual and flavor of the original while leaving the rest behind.
This version is for people who still appreciate craft. People who want a drink that feels grown-up and deliberate, without the weight that often comes with alcohol.
Alcohol-Free Whiskey Sour Recipe
Ingredients
2 ounces non-alcoholic whiskey
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
1 egg white (optional)
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a shaker. If using egg white, dry shake first without ice to build texture. Add ice and shake again until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Take a moment. Then enjoy.
A note on the egg white
If you’ve never used egg white in a drink, it can sound strange at first. It does not change the flavor. What it adds is texture. A soft, rounded mouthfeel that slows the drink down and makes it feel complete. It turns this from something you sip quickly into something you sit with.
Optional, always. Like everything here.
Variations worth trying
This recipe is intentionally simple, which leaves room to make it your own.
Stir a teaspoon of orange marmalade into the shaker for deeper citrus notes
Muddle a few cherries for color and subtle fruitiness
Infuse your simple syrup with rosemary or thyme for an herbal edge
Garnish with expressed orange peel to bring aroma forward before the first sip
Alcohol-free drinks invite experimentation without urgency. You can make this in the morning, the afternoon, or the evening. No rules. No countdowns. No next-day cost.
Why this belongs in Cr(af)t
This is not about replacement. It’s about craftsmanship. About choosing flavor, balance, and ritual without asking yourself what it will take from you later.
If you’ve ever felt like you wanted the drink, not the aftermath, you’re in the right place.