Bourbon Sling
The Bourbon Sling is a strong whiskey sour, tart and sweet on the palate. Shaken and served in a highball glass.
- 3 min
- Highball glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 72 out of 100
- Sweet
- 63 out of 100
- Fruity
- 23 out of 100
- Smoky
- 40 out of 100
- Boozy
- 69 out of 100
How to make a Bourbon Sling
To make a Bourbon Sling, shake with ice and strain into a highball glass: ¼ oz simple syrup, 1 oz lemon juice and 2 oz bourbon. Garnish with lemon peel.
You'll need
- Simple syrupor 1 tsp sugar + a splash of water¼ oz
- Lemon juice1 oz
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon peelgarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Prefer it silky? Add an egg white and dry-shake first: that's the Boston Sour.
Prefer it long and fizzy? Top it with soda water: that's the John Collins.
Make it a showstopper. Float red wine on top: that's the New York Sour.
Instructions
- 1
Add simple syrup, lemon juice and bourbon to a cocktail shaker.
- 2
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 3
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 4
Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- 5
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
No simple syrup? Muddle 1 tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.
Bourbon Sling questions
What does a Bourbon Sling taste like?
Mostly tart and sweet, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 21% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Bourbon Sling?
About 21% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Bourbon Sling and a Bourbon Sour?
Both use simple syrup, lemon juice and bourbon. Both are shaken, but the Bourbon Sling goes in a highball glass and the Bourbon Sour in a sour glass.
Should a Bourbon Sling be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: simple syrup and lemon juice need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Can I make Bourbon Slings in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 1½ oz simple syrup, 6 oz lemon juice and 12 oz bourbon in a jug and chill it. Add 4¼ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a Bourbon Sling in?
A highball glass.