Cranberry Bourbon Sour
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This cranberry bourbon sour is a fruity and festive spin on a classic cocktail. It’s made with 100% cranberry juice, which gives it a naturally sweet-tart taste and a ruby red hue. It’s perfect for the holidays, and it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
This cranberry bourbon sour tastes familiar and comforting, with a festive, fruity twist that makes it perfect for the holidays. It has the same sweet-tart balance I love in a classic bourbon sour, but finishes cleaner and brighter thanks to cranberry juice. The deep ruby color alone makes it worthy of a spot on any holiday cocktail menu.
The tartness comes from 100% cranberry juice with a splash of fresh lime, while triple sec adds citrus depth and maple syrup brings a gentle sweetness with warm, seasonal notes—similar to what I love about a maple bourbon sour, but with a fruitier edge. Everything works together without feeling heavy or overly sweet.
It’s also incredibly easy to make. I stir the ingredients with ice, strain into a glass, then garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries for aroma and a festive finish. Mix up a round for friends, and you’ve got a holiday-ready cocktail that feels both classic and special.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use cranberry cocktail?
This recipe uses strong, sour-tasting cranberry juice. If you have cranberry cocktail on hand and want to use it, you’ll need to adjust the recipe. Add lemon or lime juice for the sour flavor and reduce the amount of maple syrup (since cranberry cocktail is quite sweet).
It’s a bit too tart for my taste. How do I make it sweeter?
To make a sweeter version of this cocktail, add more maple syrup. Or you can also add simple syrup honey simple syrup to taste.
Do I need an egg white?
Most classic bourbon sour recipes use an egg white or a cocktail foamer to create a foamy top. We chose not to use it for this version. If you’d like to add an egg white or cocktail foamer, shake the ingredients in a shaker until foamy, then strain into a glass.
Cranberry Bourbon Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail – see notes)
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce maple syrup
- Cranberries and rosemary (to serve)
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to a cocktail mixer then add the bourbon, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, and maple syrup. Stir it until it's cold.2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce cranberry juice, ½ ounce lime juice, ½ ounce maple syrup
- Add ice to a glass then strain your cranberry bourbon sour into the glass. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.Cranberries and rosemary
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
As a professional bartender I would shake this drink rather than stirring, as it will mix the flavours together better. Other than that it looks tasty, I’ll have to try it during the holidays this year.
This is a family fave! Use white cranberry juice.
Taste pretty good. The cranberry juice and triple sec changes the dynamics of the traditional sour which is a good change for me.
So happy to hear you liked the recipe!