A Cranberry Bourbon Sour cocktail recipe, made with 4 simple ingredients. Lightly sweetened with cane sugar simple syrup, 100% tart cranberry juice, smokey bourbon and fresh lemon juice! A not-to-sweet all natural drink, perfect for winter celebrations.
Fill a cocktail shaker (or mason jar with lid) with ice about ⅔ full.
Pour in bourbon, cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup.
Place lid on shaker, vigorously shake 20-30 times. The longer you shake the more diluted it will become, which for me is a good thing.
In an old fashioned glass, fill with ice, whiskey stones or an ice ball. Pour cocktail over ice. Garnish with slice of lemon, fresh or frozen raspberries or cranberries, enjoy immediatly.
See notes for substitution and mocktail ideas.
Simple Syrup
Pour water and sugar into small heavy saucepan. Over medium heat stir until sugar dissolves, bring mixture to simmer BUT DO NOT BOIL. See detailed post for more on homemade simple syrup.
Store in mason jar in refrigerator, lasts indefinitely.
Notes
Substitution Ideas:
Substitute cranberry juice with 100% cherry juice or Pomegranate juice
Swap the lemon for a lime
Use whisky, rye, vodka, or rum instead of bourbon
Instead of simple syrup, use real maple syrup or bourbon maple syrup
Add a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon to the shaker for a more fall/holiday drink
Extend or Dilute the Drink
Add a splash or two of your favorite mixer (club soda, tonic water, sparkling water, etc)
Shake longer in the shaker and add crushed ice to the glass
Make it non-alocholic or a mocktail
Omit the alcohol, replace with your favorite mixer, orange juice, lemonade, lemon lime soda, sparkling water, club soda or even Pelligrino Limonata.