Let’s be honest—most holiday cocktails are trying way too hard. Peppermint this, gingerbread that, enough cinnamon to make you sneeze.
But the Cranberry Whiskey Sour? This is the drink you actually want to sip throughout the holidays (and beyond).
It’s festive without being gimmicky, tart without puckering your face, and that gorgeous ruby-red color makes it look like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
While it can be hard to find fresh cranberries outside of the holiday season (trust me, the staff at my local shop was searching for a bag for me), real cranberry juice (NOT cranberry cocktail) is easy to find in the juice aisle throughout the year.
Why This Works
Cranberry and bourbon are natural allies. The juice’s sharp, tangy bite cuts through the bourbon’s sweetness, while maple syrup adds a mellow, almost woody sweetness that ties everything together.
The egg white does its usual magic here, creating that signature frothy cap that turns a good sour into a great one. Plus, it softens the drink’s edges and makes each sip feel smooth and luxurious.
Tip: If you are worried about that “egg white” smell that can creep in, just put a few drops of cranberry juice or maple syrup on the top at the end. Also, make sure you use FRESH eggs.
This is the drink to make when you want something seasonal that doesn’t taste like a liquified holiday candle. It’s tart, balanced, beautiful, and dangerously easy to drink. Consider yourself warned.
Pro Tips
- Use 100% cranberry juice, not cranberry cocktail—the latter is basically sugar water with a cranberry tint
- Fresh lemon juice is always preferred; bottled won’t give you the brightness you need
- If raw eggs aren’t your thing, pasteurized egg whites or aquafaba (2 tablespoons chickpea water) work perfectly. You can also try vegan fee foam.
Add a Twist to Your Cocktail
Rosemary Cranberry Sour
Add a small sprig of fresh rosemary to your shaker before the dry shake. The herbal, pine-like notes play beautifully with cranberry’s tartness and give the drink a more sophisticated, earthy vibe.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig that’s been torched lightly for extra aromatics.
Make it a Mocktail
Replace the bourbon with 2oz of strong brewed black tea (cooled) mixed with ¼ oz of vanilla extract.
The tea provides tannins and body, while the vanilla mimics some of the bourbon’s warmth.
You’ll still enjoy the beautiful foam and all the cranberry-maple goodness, minus the booze, and you can still have it in that pretty coupe glass with garnish.
Cranberry Whiskey Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened is best, but sweetened works—just go easy on the maple)
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Dry shake all ingredients (no ice) for 10-15 seconds to emulsify that egg white
- Add ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled
- Double-strain into a coupe or rocks glass
- Garnish with fresh cranberries (frozen ones look like jewels!) and a lemon twist, or keep it simple with sugared cranberries on a pick.
- Using an eye dropper or a straw, you can add a few drops of maple syrup or cranberry juice to add to the “nose” of the cocktail as you sip.
