Pisco sour vs whiskey sour: what's the difference?
Both are sours, often foamed with egg white, but a pisco sour uses grape brandy and lime and tastes bright and floral, while a whiskey sour is bourbon and lemon, rounder and caramel-sweet.
Pisco sour
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Bright, floral and frothy, with bitters dotted on the foam.
What does Pisco sour taste like?Whiskey sour
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Warm bourbon and lemon, tart and round.
What does Whiskey sour taste like?The real difference
Pisco is an unaged grape brandy from Peru and Chile, so it's fresh, fruity and floral. The pisco sour shakes it with lime, sugar and egg white, then adds a few drops of Angostura bitters on top. A whiskey sour uses bourbon and lemon, so it tastes warmer, with vanilla and caramel. Egg white is optional there.
Side by side
Pisco sourWhiskey sour
SpiritPisco, an unaged grape brandyBourbon, usually
CitrusLimeLemon
Egg whiteAlmost alwaysSometimes
TastesFloral, fruity, brightCaramel, vanilla, tart
Which to order
- Order a pisco sour if you want something bright, floral and frothy.
- Order a whiskey sour if you want a warmer, cozier sour.
Quick questions
- Is there raw egg in a pisco sour?
- Usually, yes: raw egg white shaken for foam. Some bars use aquafaba (chickpea water) instead, so ask if you avoid egg.
- What are the drops on top of a pisco sour?
- Angostura bitters. They're there mostly for smell, adding a warm spice aroma as you sip through the foam.