Name: Cranberry Bourbon Sour
Prep time: 4 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces bourbon; 2 ounces cranberry juice; 2 dashes orange bitters; 1 ounce lemon juice; 0.5 ounce cranberry syrup; 1 slice orange (for garnish); sprig rosemary (fresh, for garnish)

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Bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice, cranberry syrup, and orange bitters give the Cranberry Bourbon Sour a tart, fruit-forward flavor with enough sweetness to round out the whiskey. The orange and rosemary garnish adds a simple seasonal finish without making the drink complicated. Cranberry works especially well with bourbon because it brings sharp acidity and fruit without covering the whiskey completely. The lemon keeps the drink bright, while the cranberry syrup adds a little more body and sweetness.

I like this Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail for fall dinners, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or holiday parties because it looks seasonal but still drinks like a proper whiskey sour. It is easy to shake, easy to garnish, and simple enough to make one glass at a time.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Bourbon Sour

This Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail is tart, lightly sweet, and whiskey-forward with a clear cranberry flavor. It feels seasonal without leaning too heavily on spice.

A few reasons this drink works well:

It keeps bourbon at the center. The 2-ounce pour gives the drink a solid whiskey base.
Cranberry adds tartness. Juice and syrup build the fruit flavor in two ways.
Fresh lemon adds balance. It keeps the drink from tasting too sweet.
Orange bitters add depth. They bring a small citrus and spice note.
It is easy to shake. Everything goes into one cocktail shaker.
The garnish fits fall and winter. Orange and rosemary make the glass feel seasonal.

This is a good choice when you want a sour cocktail with holiday color and familiar fruit flavors.

Ingredients

The Cranberry Bourbon Sour uses cranberry juice and cranberry syrup together, giving the drink both tartness and sweetness.

You will need:

2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces cranberry juice
2 dashes orange bitters
1 ounce lemon juice
0.5 ounce cranberry syrup
1 slice orange for garnish
sprig rosemary fresh, for garnish

Bourbon adds caramel, oak, and vanilla notes underneath the fruit.

Cranberry juice gives the drink its tart base, while cranberry syrup adds sweetness and a stronger berry note.

Lemon juice sharpens the drink, and orange bitters help connect the bourbon with the fruit.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

A bourbon with caramel and spice notes works especially well with cranberry.

Here are a few options:

Buffalo Trace Bourbon: Balanced and easy to mix with tart fruit.
Woodford Reserve: Fuller with more oak and vanilla.
Maker’s Mark: Softer and slightly sweeter.
Bulleit Bourbon: A little spicier and drier.
Rye whiskey: Use it for a sharper and more peppery version.
Pomegranate syrup: Use it instead of cranberry syrup if needed, though the fruit flavor will change.

If your cranberry juice is very sweet, reduce the cranberry syrup slightly.

If your juice is very tart, keep the full syrup amount.

Equipment and Glassware

You only need standard cocktail tools for this drink.

You will need:

A rocks glass works well because the cocktail is served over fresh ice.

Use a large cube if you want slower dilution.

How to Make a Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Shake all of the liquid ingredients together, then strain the cocktail over fresh ice.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry syrup, bourbon, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and orange bitters.
Add ice to the shaker, then shake vigorously until well-chilled.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.

The finished Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail should taste tart, fruity, lightly sweet, and bourbon-forward.

Pro Tips

A few small details can help this Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail stay balanced.

Use fresh lemon juice. It gives the drink a cleaner sour edge.
Taste the cranberry juice first. Sweetness can vary between brands.
Shake until the shaker feels very cold. This gives the drink enough dilution.
Use fresh ice in the serving glass. It keeps the finished drink cleaner.
Keep the syrup measured. Too much can make the drink heavy.
Use a fresh rosemary sprig. It gives the garnish more aroma.
Use a thin orange slice. It sits more neatly in the glass.
Serve right away. The citrus and rosemary are best when fresh.

If the drink tastes too sweet, add a little more lemon juice. If it feels too tart, add a small amount of extra cranberry syrup.

Variations

The Cranberry Bourbon Sour is easy to adjust while keeping the same fruit-and-whiskey structure.

Rye Version: Use rye whiskey for a drier and spicier drink.
Orange Version: Add one extra dash of orange bitters.
Pomegranate Version: Replace part of the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice.
Maple Version: Replace part of the cranberry syrup with maple syrup.
Non-Alcoholic Version: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative with cranberry juice, lemon, syrup, and bitters-style seasoning.

You can also use a cinnamon stick instead of rosemary if you want a warmer garnish.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Cranberry Bourbon Sour works well for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas parties, fall dinners, and evening cocktail hours.

Its bourbon, cranberry, citrus, and herbal flavors pair well with savory foods and simple desserts.

Try it with:

Roast turkey
Pork tenderloin
Baked brie
Sharp cheddar
Stuffing
Roasted nuts
Cranberry desserts
Dark chocolate

It also fits well beside drinks such as the Fall Spiced Whiskey Sour, Maple Bacon Old Fashioned, Cranberry Apple Spice Mule, or Sparkling Thanksgiving Cocktail.

If your menu already includes several sweet drinks, this gives you a more tart and whiskey-forward option.

Storage and Serving Notes

The Cranberry Bourbon Sour is best shaken and served fresh.

You can pre-mix the bourbon, cranberry juice, cranberry syrup, and orange bitters ahead of time and keep the mixture refrigerated.

Add the lemon juice closer to serving.

For several drinks, multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and store the batch cold.

Shake individual portions with ice, then strain over fresh ice.

Cut the orange garnish and prepare the rosemary close to serving so both stay fresh.

FAQs

What does a Cranberry Bourbon Sour taste like?

It tastes tart, fruity, lightly sweet, and whiskey-forward, with cranberry and lemon as the main flavors.

Can I use rye instead of bourbon?

Yes. Rye makes the drink drier and spicier.

Can I use cranberry juice cocktail?

Yes. Just keep in mind that it may be sweeter than 100% cranberry juice.

Can I make the cocktail less sweet?

Yes. Reduce the cranberry syrup slightly or add a little more lemon juice.

Can I make a Cranberry Bourbon Sour ahead of time?

You can pre-mix most of the ingredients, but add lemon juice and shake with ice close to serving.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like cranberry and whiskey cocktails with fall and holiday flavors, these drinks fit well into the same lineup.

Fall Spiced Whiskey Sour: Whiskey, apple cider, lemon, maple, and pumpkin spice create a warm seasonal sour.
Maple Bacon Old Fashioned: Whiskey, maple syrup, bitters, and bacon make a richer spirit-forward cocktail.
Cranberry Apple Spice Mule: Vodka, apple cider, cranberry sauce, and ginger beer create a fizzy fall drink.
Sparkling Thanksgiving Cocktail: Vodka, apple juice, cranberry juice, and Champagne make a lighter holiday option.
Maple-Bourbon Smash: Bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon make a bright sweet-tart whiskey cocktail.

These give you a mix of sour, sparkling, fizzy, and spirit-forward drinks for fall and holiday menus.