When it comes to crafting cocktails, don't be afraid to stick with the basics. Sure, the era of modernist mixologists whipping up complicated boozy beverages using multiple obscure ingredients and fancy doodads continues to flourish -- and that's all fine and dandy. But the simple standards are classics for a reason.
Take the humble whiskey sour, for example. With just three ingredients -- bourbon or rye, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup (plus the orange and cherry garnish) -- the interplay of sweet and tart from the sugar and citrus components works harmoniously with the caramel, oak, vanilla, and peppery spice imparted by the beverage's base brown spirit. Easy enough to make at home, and the beverage of choice for many bar patrons, a whiskey sour never disappoints (assuming the drink isn't sullied by the addition of a cheap, inferior pre-made mix).
That said, sometimes a little change can do you good. That's why we've rounded up a list of cocktail alternatives to the whiskey sour. While each of these options offers a distinctive variation on the classic drink, they all find a way to connect to the spirit of the holy trinity of bourbon (or rye!), lemon, and sugar.