Maple Bourbon Sour
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Celebrate the season with this maple bourbon sour! It’s a refreshing twist on the classic with sweet maple, tart lemon, and the warmth of bourbon. It’s easy to make, and it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
This maple bourbon sour is my go-to when I want a classic bourbon sour but feel like a seasonal twist. Swapping simple syrup for pure maple syrup gives it a cozy, fall-forward flavor that pairs perfectly with bourbon, while fresh lemon keeps it bright and refreshing.
I make it with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters for warmth and spice. To get that silky, frothy texture, I use a cocktail foamer instead of egg whites—it’s easy, mess-free, and gives the drink the creamy mouthfeel I’m after. Everything gets shaken with ice, then strained into a rocks glass and finished with a simple lemon slice.
It’s quick to make, easy to scale up for guests, and exactly the kind of drink I love serving on dark fall and winter evenings. Festive without being fussy, this maple bourbon sour fits right in at holiday dinners or cozy nights at home.
Another seasonal classic cocktail you might enjoy is my maple old fashioned.
Recipe FAQs
Is a bourbon sour served neat or on the rocks?
That depends on how you make it. If you use a foamer or egg whites, it’s best to serve it neat so the foam doesn’t stick to the ice and look unappetizing. If you’re not foaming your sour, add a large ice cube to your drink to keep it cold. Just don’t serve it with lots of small ice cubes, or they’ll melt and dilute your drink.
What is a cocktail foamer?
Cocktail foamer is an easy-to-use ingredient that gives cocktails a foamy head, without the mess! Adding a few dashes of this egg-free solution gives drinks the frothy mouth feel we’re after. I find it slightly less foamy than traditional egg whites, but given the convenience, I think it’s worth it.
Can I use egg white instead of a cocktail foamer?
Definitely! I like the ease of the cocktail foamer, but raw egg whites are a classic ingredient in many drinks. Pasteurized cartons of egg whites also work great!
Can I make it in advance?
Yes, this is a great drink to prepare in advance. Mix all the ingredients together (except the ice) up to a few hours in advance, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, shake the mixture over ice, strain, and pour into glasses.
Do I need to use bitters?
A few drops of bitters on top of a foamy sour is classic and helps balance the flavors. While it’s not 100% necessary, I do recommend it. You can pick up a small bottle for a few dollars at most grocery stores, and it will last a long time.
Maple Bourbon Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ¾ ounce maple syrup
- 3 drops Angostura bitters
- 1 squirt cocktail foamer (optional)
- Lemon slice (to serve)
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, bitters, and if using the cocktail foamer to a cocktail shaker.2 ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce lemon juice, ¾ ounce maple syrup, 3 drops Angostura bitters, 1 squirt cocktail foamer
- Shake well for 20 seconds then add a few pieces of ice and shake for another 20 seconds, until there is lots of foam.
- Strain the maple bourbon sour into a glass and garnish with a thin slice of lemon and a few drops of Angostura bitters.
Notes
Nutrition
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Yummy! Used an ounce of lemon juice and no cocktail foamer.
That sounds delicious! The extra lemon juice must have given it such a bright, refreshing kick—great call on skipping the foamer if you like it clean and simple.