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Celebrate the festive season with this Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour – the perfect simple and cozy winter cocktail. Warming bourbon, shaken together with fresh squeezed lemon, real maple syrup, vanilla bean, and just the right amount of sweet cinnamon. A festive and delicious holiday cocktail. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties with family and friends. Enjoy this with bourbon or create my mocktail variation. You can also make a big batch to serve up to a crowd! I have directions for it all!
I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m LOVING and having so much fun with this year’s holiday cocktails. The drinks I’ve shared so far have been some of my favorite recipes to create.
I love them all so much. And I have to say, I’ve enjoyed testing the mocktail variations too. If you follow often, you know that I’m a one-sip-and-done kind of drinker. The mocktails have been great to enjoy with Asher too!
I’m so excited for today’s drink. It might just be my simplest cocktail yet, and one of my favorites for sure. My family loves it too, they love a bourbon cocktail.
The idea
Came from my brother’s girlfriend Cait. I sent her three drink options. She picked this in a matter of seconds and said it sounded so delicious.
To be honest, this was the drink I was the least excited about. I was not going to make it at all. But I’m so happy I asked Cait, it turned out so great!
The details
This one really could not be easier. There’s not one fancy ingredient and you don’t have to cook a single thing. Simply mix, shake, pour, and enjoy!
Mix the bourbon with lemon, then add maple, a dash of real vanilla extract, and a small pinch of cinnamon. Shake it up and pour over ice.
To make the drink extra pretty.
Use a smoking cinnamon stick and candied rosemary. It’s delicious and so pretty. I love the way it sparkles.
The candied rosemary is so simple to make. Just grab some fresh rosemary sprigs, dampen them with water, and cover them in vanilla 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 whiskey sour.
I know this will be on repeat at my house once family arrives for the holidays. It’s simple and has everything they like in a holiday cocktail.
Looking for other easy holiday drinks? Here are my favorites:
The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
Lastly, if you make this Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey 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!
Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 192 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 dash vanilla extract (I do 1/4 teaspoon-ish)
- 1 pinch cinnamon (I do 1/8 teaspoon-ish)
- cinnamon stick and rosemary, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, maple, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. 2. Garnish with vanilla rosemary (recipe in notes) and cinnamon. If desired light the cinnamon on fire for a smoky effect.
Vanilla Sugared Rosemary
- 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean seeds. 2. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with vanilla 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.
Notes
To Make a Mocktail: omit the bourbon and use 2 ounces apple cider.
Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour Punch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 192 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bourbon
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup maple syrup, more or less to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, more or less to taste
- cinnamon sticks and vanilla rosemary, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a punch bowl, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, maple, vanilla, and cinnamon. 2. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Before serving, add ice. Serve with cinnamon and sugared rosemary (recipe above).
Notes
To Make a Mocktail: omit the bourbon and use 2 cups apple cider.
Oh dear lord, this drink is DANGEROUS (in a good way!) I could drink pitchers of this. Absolutely perfect. Its my first time making one of your drinks. Yum. This may need to be our house signature drink. We do love our whiskey!
Hey Lexi,
Happy Friday!!🌟 Love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
Can’t wait to try more! Bad Santa White Russian is next. Side note: when you cook in your skillet, say, the chicken and orzo with the sage and thyme, which size skillet are you using? My skillet never seems to fit 6-8 cups of liquid. Help is appreciated!
Thanks so much Lexi!! I typically use my 12 inch skillet! I hope this helps! xx
It does! Thanks Tieghan! Keep up the yummy good work!
Wonderful! My daughter mixed some up for our thanksgiving guests and it was a huge hit. Festive and easy!
Hey Carla,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
This came out great! I made a giant batch for 20 people and everyone loved it!
Hey Jen,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Hey Jen, Looking to do this in a big batch also! What are your ratios for the ingredients you did?
Delicious cocktail! Easy and everyone loved it!
Hi Alyssa,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
Hi, didn’t really work for me this one, a bit too sour (maybe I put too much lemon in it). Maybe I’ll try some of your other cocktails 🙂
Hi there,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Please let me know if I can help in any way! xx
Can I use single malt American whiskey in lieu of the bourbon? That’s what i have and i always get confused if I can interchange them…
Hi Tayler,
Sure, I don’t see why not! I hope this recipe turns out well for you! Cheers! xx
Tested this out today for our Thanksgiving signature cocktail – it’s a winner! Will be making a batch of these for the holiday!
Hey Anne Marie,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽
Hi!! What Bourbon did you use? Looks delicious!
Hi Liz,
I like Off Hours or Four Roses! Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
I just made the mocktail version and it was delicious! I love that you have been including the mocktail variations in your recipes. Thank you so much. I’ll be making this for my friends next week!
Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it:) Cheers!!
Yassss to this it’s so freaking good and I can see how Rosemary would compliment this. I know someone of my household love sweet cocktails so for them I’d follow this recipe AND add the apple cider/juice
Hey Mariana,
Happy Sunday!🌾🌽 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
So good!! Easy, flavorful, tart, and the perfect amount of holiday sweetness and spice. Love!
Hey Avery,
Happy Sunday!🌾🌽 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Sounds amazing! What bourbon do you use?
Thanks so much Sam!! I like Off Hours or Four Roses. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
This is a keeper. Simple to throw together and embodies the flavors of the season!
Hey Emily,
Happy Sunday!🌾🌽 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Bourbon recs?
Hi Bridget,
I like Off Hours or Four Roses. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Could I add egg whites for a the frothy effect that some other sours have? Looks delish. Can’t wait to try!
Hey Ashlin,
Sure, that would be yummy! I hope this recipe turns out well for you! Cheers! xx
Love the glasses, where can I get them?
Agreed – where do you get these beautiful cocktail glasses?
Hi Mariana,
You can find the link here along with all of my Thanksgiving faves:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/shop/shop-holiday/?current_page=thanksgiving
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT
hi Tieghan,
the glasses you linked are different than the ones used in the recipe. can you share a link to the ones used in the recipe please?
thank you!!
Hey Tanya,
Here is the link for the glasses:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=946122659&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=43342403&utm_content=productwidget%3A6359cf6f870c5535efbf1a3d&utm_medium=referral
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much Amy!! Here’s the link:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=945192044&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=43342403&utm_content=productwidget%3A6359cf6f870c5535efbf1a3d&utm_medium=referral
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx