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Putting a festive spin on a classic cocktail with this Cranberry Bourbon Sour. Homemade cranberry-orange syrup, warming bourbon, fresh citrus, and sweet candied rosemary. This drink is so easy to create, simply mix everything together for a merry cocktail that’s perfectly sweetened, and so delicious! This can be made ahead of time for easy holiday entertaining. Tip? Make a large batch to serve to family and friends!
It’s finally that time of year when I can share the more “festive” holiday drinks, and I couldn’t be happier. Time might be very tight this season…since I have a bit more travel on the calendar than usual. But as crazy as it is, I’m still so excited to be cooking up new recipes and sharing these drinks.
It’s what I LOVE most.
Anyway, keeping this post short and sweet as I prefer to do with these cocktail posts. So I’m jumping right into this warming and oh so festive cranberry bourbon sour.
Today it’s all about taking a classic and making it just a touch sweeter, prettier, and well, extra delicious too! Up until just a few weeks ago I really wasn’t that familiar with a bourbon sour. It was my brother who suggested I make one. And while he said I should do it with the egg white variation, I opted to just keep things simple…ish. Plus, incorporating an egg white into my cocktails still weirds me out a bit. Maybe someday I’ll get into it, but for now, keeping it simple and easy!
Here is how you make this cranberry bourbon sour.
The key to this bourbon sour is the cranberry syrup. It’s what gives this drink color, flavor, and sweetness. Instead of your basic simple syrup with sugar and water (which I always find to be so bland), I did mine with fresh cranberries, maple syrup, and orange zest. If you prefer a different flavored simple syrup, try one of these four in this past holiday post entitled, holiday gifting: homemade simple syrups.
The cranberries and maple together add to the warmth of this drink. And the orange adds that classic citrus flavor that you know and love in any classic bourbon sour.
The cranberry syrup will make enough for six drinks, so you can also make a punch sour. Or just go for a single drink and save the syrup for later. I’m giving you directions for both ways!
Once the syrup is made, the rest is EASY.
Just shake the syrup with your favorite bourbon (I typically use Woodford or Four Roses). Then add lemon juice, cranberry juice, and a dash or two of orange bitters. Pour over ice and garnish with a thin orange slice and candied rosemary.
SIMPLE. But GOOD.
As I mentioned, you can also make this into more of a punch for serving guests. If doing so, I would probably recommend doubling the recipe, depending on how many people you plan to serve…or if you just know your crowd will be going back for seconds.
Make the drink extra pretty…
Candied rosemary…my favorite cocktail garnish to add to drinks this time of year. It’s delicious and so pretty. I love the way it sparkles like snow!
And the best part? It’s so simple to make. Just grab some fresh rosemary sprigs, dampen them with water, and cover in granulated sugar. Let the rosemary dry for an hour at room temperature. Now you have pretty, glistening rosemary that’s the perfect final touch to this bourbon sour.
And you guys? That’s kind of it for this drink. It’s a classic, but with a seasonal twist that makes it even better than the original. Cranberries are the perfect way to sweeten up this warming winter cocktail, and I love the bright-red color they add! Perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas entertaining.
I know this will be on repeat at my house when family arrives for the holidays. They love a straight-up bourbon drink and this is a GOOD one.
If you make this cranberry bourbon sour, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cranberry Bourbon Sour Punch
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 285 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- zest 1 large orange
- 8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) lemon juice
- 1 cup 100% cranberry juice
- 3-4 dashes orange bitters
- 1 blood orange or regular orange, sliced or regular orange, sliced
Instructions
- 1. To make the cranberry syrup: In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the maple syrup, and cranberries to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes or until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Stir in the orange zest. If you syrup thickens too quickly, just add additional water to thin. Let cool. If desired, strain out the cranberries. 2. In a punch bowl, combine the cranberry syrup, bourbon, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and orange bitters. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice. Garnish with an orange slice and candied rosemary (recipe below), if desired.
Candied Rosemary
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with granulated sugar on all sides, making sure the rosemary is thoroughly coated in sugar. Allow to dry on the baking sheet for 1 hour. The rosemary can be made 1 day in advance and stored at room temperature.
Cranberry Bourbon Sour
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 1455 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- zest 1 large orange
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1/4 cup 100% cranberry juice
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 blood orange or regular orange slices
Instructions
- 1. To make the cranberry syrup: In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the maple syrup, and cranberries to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes or until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Stir in the orange zest. Let cool. If desired, strain out the cranberries. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks. 2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons cranberry syrup, the bourbon, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and orange bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange slice and candied rosemary (recipe below), if desired.
Candied Rosemary
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with granulated sugar on all sides, making sure the rosemary is thoroughly coated in sugar. Allow to dry on the baking sheet for 1 hour. The rosemary can be made 1 day in advance and stored at room temperature.
We always make sparkling cranberries, but have never known what to do with all that syrup!
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sparkling-cranberries
Now I can make a batch of the sparkling ones, then use the leftover syrup to make cranberry simple syrup! Can’t wait!
I love that!! I hope you love this Catherine! xTieghan
This looks SO good and cannot wait to make it! Would the taste be completely off if I skipped the orange bitters? Or do you have a recommendation of a replacement?
Hey Claire! You can easily skip the bitters. Not a huge deal at all. This will still be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Pretty much having a HBH themed Friendsgiving! So excited, but I can only find cranberry cocktail as opposed to 100% cranberry juice!! So excited about this recipe, what would happen if using cocktail as opposed to 100%- maybe a sweeter drink?? Just trying to decide if I need to make another stop before Friendsgiving
Hi Abby! It will make it sweeter, yes. Especially with the bitters already in the recipe! I would suggest going with 100% cranberry if you have time! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try! I plan to bring to my family Thanksgiving, although I’m wondering how long the mix would keep. If possible, I’m hoping to make it in advance as I have other dishes to prepare the day of as well. 🙂
Also, hoping to make the mix and add the bourbon afterwards (this would allow any non-bourbon drinkers to add their choice of spirit). Thanks so much!
I hope you love this recipe, Katie! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Looks amazing. Could you use frozen cranberries? I’m having trouble finding fresh organic cranberries. Thanks!
Hey Susan! Frozen cranberries will be great!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Love this idea but I’m questioning the cranberry syrup water amount. I made this with the 1/2 cup water as stated in your directions and it was supper gel like vs syrup. Can you please check on the amount of water. I thinned it out with simple syrup. Enjoyed the drink just not sure what I did wrong with the syrup. Thanks
Hey Donna! The measurements are correct. If the syrup thickens up too quickly, just add an additional 1/4 cup water to thin the syrup our a bit to make it more liquid. That works great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am glad youloved this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Has anyone tried this warm? I was thinking about making a large batch and keeping warm in a slow cooker for Thanksgiving. Thoughts??
Hey Chris! I have not made this warm before, but that sounds like a great idea to me. I am sure it will be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This is my favorite new cocktail!!! I’ve been recipe testing for the holidays and tried this recently, it is SOOOO good. Definitely including it this year in the festivities.
YES! I love that! Thank you so much Kim! xTieghan
This sounds delicious! Would it work as a batch recipe to make ahead prior to Thanksgiving? Thanks!
Hi Amanda, the batch measurements are given in the recipe, just scroll down and you will find them. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
yum, great cocktail, thank you, cranberries add a nice balance to this
Thank you Sabrina! xTieghan
Can you please share where these gold-tipped goblets are from? They are beautiful!
Hi! Linked to the glasses below. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Do you bake the rosemary? Recipe says to let it dry — no baking necessary? Looking forward to serving this at a holiday party!
Hi there! There is no need to bake the rosemary, just let it air dry. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This sounds great—any suggestions for ways to turn this into a mocktail for the non-drinkers at my celebration?
Hi Betsy! Just simple omit the bourbon and add a splash of sparkling water. That will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Teighan,
Thank you for sharing this fun drink for the holidays or really anytime!
I’m thinking of making gift baskets for it so I was wondering do you find that the candied rosemary keeps for a while? I’m thinking up to a few weeks stored loosely in an airtight bag? Please let me know if you have any experience with it.
Thank you!
HI! I have never stores the candied rosemary for that long. I do believe it could work well. The rosemary will dry, but I think it should hold its color. Let me know how it goes! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Just found my new holiday cocktail this year! This looks and sounds amazing planning on having this with Thanksgiving dinner
YES! I love that I hope all your friends enjoy this as well! Thank you Katie! xTieghan