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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 cranberry bourbon cocktail 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!
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Ingredients
- Maple syrup
- Fresh cranberries
- Large orange
- Bourbon (such as maker’s mark)
- Lemon juice and lemon peel
- Cranberry juice
- Orange bitters
- Blood orange
- large ice cube
Kitchen supplies and tableware
- chilled rocks glass
- cocktail shaker
- pitcher or punch bowl
- saucepan
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! Enter this cranberry cocktail. 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
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Cranberry Bourbon Sour
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Yum. Tried this over thanksgiving and plan to make again over Christmas, but a couple family members don’t like bourbon so I thought I’d make a 2nd batch, without bourbon. Any suggestions for substitution? Gin? Vodka? Rum?
Hey LeAnne,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! I bet gin would be great! ❄️ xTieghan
AH-MAZING! I made this recipe for Thanksgiving and everyone LOVED it! I added a sugar rim using an orange like Megan and they turned out beautiful, I wish I could attach a picture. I also X4’ed the recipe for 8 people but honestly X12 wouldn’t have been enough! It was such a hit and gone before I could go back for seconds. I am now in charge of making it for every holiday meal.
Hey Laura,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xTieghan
Where can I get the glasses? Definitely will try but the glasses add to the charm.
Hey Tina,
Here is the link for the glasses:
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
This was AMAZING. I made this for a pre-Thanksgiving Charcuterie dinner and everyone (6 people) loved it and asked for the recipe. I added a sugar rim after rubbing an orange around the rim of each glass. Balanced out the tart cranberry very nicely. Also made this one day prior to dinner and I think that helped settle the tartness and bring out the sweet. I don’t like Bourbon and I absolutely loved this! Will definitely make it again!
Hey Megan,
Happy Sunday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
This was perfect.
Hey there,
Happy Sunday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
I made this as a signature cocktail for a recent get-together. Made it as a punch and lightened it a little by… doubling the recipe & adding 3x more cranberry juice, a bottle of San Pellegrino and ice. The blood oranges and candied rosemary made this the perfect festive drink!
Hey Jenn,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Have a great Saturday! xTieghan
Wow! This drink is amazing , you’ve wisked me off to a magical land. Lol. I would never think to put rosemary and sugar together …and then into a drink. But it works. I got rave reviews.
Thank you for the magical drink recipe.
Hey Karen,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
I made these for my husband and me on Christmas evening. It was the perfect treat for us to enjoy by the Christmas tree once the kids hit their sugar/excitement crash. I made a pitcher, and between the two of us…….there wasn’t a drop left (one bonus of Covid Christmas is that we didn’t have anywhere to go!) This will be a new family staple. Thank you so much for your recipes- you always seem to take what’s already special and make it even more special.
Hey Katy,
Thank you so much for making the recipe. I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
We really enjoyed this. Nicely balanced
Hey Crystal,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is one delicious cocktail! Even if you don’t like bourbon! Instant favorite!
Hey Julee,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I wonder if you could tell me where you purchased those round glasses for the cocktails? Love your recipes!!!
Hey Nicole,
Here is the link for the glasses: https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Happy Holidays! xTieghan
would this work well with crown apple? i dont drink but im trying to gift a good christmas recipe with a bottle of crown apple.
Hey Grace,
I’ve never tried this but it could certainly work! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is my new favorite holiday cocktail! My entire family loved them, so much so that we have plans to make them at least 3 more times this season. We’re also planning to use this recipe to create cocktail kits, which we’ll drop off at friends houses in advance of our Zoom holiday party. When making, we strain out the cranberries from the syrup, set them aside, and save them for later use in a different blended cocktail. We also like to add a splash of seltzer to the final product. Thanks, Tieghan!
Hey Tessa,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This simple syrup was a huge hit with my family and friends. My mom used it as a base for “tea” and heated up a couple of tablespoons with water and added vodka for a kick. My husband enjoyed it with spicy ginger beer and my girlfriend used it with a brandy old fashioned. I enjoyed with bourbon and will definitely be making this again in the future. I would recommend straining some of the cranberries if making single cocktails because it tends to clog the cocktail shaker otherwise.
I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe, Cara! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
I made this drink for thanksgiving dinner and it was a huge hit with my parents! My mom who never drinks enjoyed a glass of it..I had six?
I’m going to make this all year long!
Thank you ?
Haha I am so happy you all enjoyed this!! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi
I made the syrup with cranberries still in, can I refrigerate overnight without it turning solid? Looks delic!
Hey Kelly,
That should work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan