Cherry Whiskey Sour
A Cherry Whiskey Sour is an easy recipe made with fresh juices, whiskey, and Cherry Simple Syrup. Share this delicious refreshing drink with friends and family at your next holiday party or at any casual happy hour gathering.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS WHISKEY SOUR RECIPE
- EASY – You can enjoy this tasty whiskey sour cocktail in no time at all!
- HOMEMADE – Don’t let homemade making you nervous. Put your mixologist hat on and give this festive cocktail a try!
- CHERRY SIMPLE SYRUP – This cocktail is the perfect excuse to make my favorite simple syrup.
- PRESENTATION – I served these at a recent girls night, each in a pretty rocks glass and boy was it impressive.
INGREDIENTS
There are just four ingredients plus water to make the perfect whiskey sour.
Juice
Fresh juice is the key to a classic whiskey sour. One lemon and one orange will make several delicious cocktails. Lime juice is a good substitution for the lemon juice if you are in a pinch.
Whiskey Facts
Did you know all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon?
What makes bourbon distinct from other whiskey is how it is manufactured and aged. For more information about the difference between whiskey and bourbon read this interesting article from Food & Wine.
Traditionally, whiskey sours are made with 80-proof bourbon which adds a touch of oak that doesn’t overpower the sweet vs sour combination.
In my opinion, when you are going to add several ingredients to whiskey it is not necessary to get top-shelf whiskey. I recommend any mid-range, 80-proof bourbon
Cherry Simple Syrup
One of the best ways to use cherries when they are in season is to make Cherry Simple Syrup. Use it in ice tea, lemonade, cocktails and even over ice cream.
By combining, fresh cherries, sugar and water you’ll have enough simple syrup to make many whiskey sours. Find complete instructions for cherry simple syrup here.
No time to make simple syrup? Use maraschino cherry juice as a substitute.
HOW TO MAKE A CHERRY WHISKEY SOUR
- Add 1/2 cup ice, 2 oz of whiskey, 1/2 oz fresh orange juice, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz cherry simple syrup, and 1 oz of water to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 30 – 45 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a 10 oz whiskey glass full of ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange slice, fresh basil and maraschino cherries.
HOW MANY COCKTAILS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?
The recipe makes one drink, but you can easily double or triple the recipe.
When I know I will be serving more than one drink, I will combine the lemon juice and orange juice along with the cherry simple syrup so that when it’s time for happy hour, it’s quick and easy to serve and the mess is already cleaned up.
Kitchen tools to make a whiskey sour
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Have a cocktail kit ready by having the sweet and sour mix, orange slices, and cherries prepared well before you are ready to start pouring the drinks.
More cocktail recipes
Cherry Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz Preferred Whiskey
- 1/2 oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
- 1/2 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Cherry Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Water
- Lemon, Orange, Cherries & Fresh Basil to Garnish Optional
Instructions
- Add 1/2 cup ice, 2 oz of whiskey, 1/2 oz orange juice, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz cherry simple syrup, and 1 oz of water to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 30 – 45 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a 10 oz whiskey glass full of ice cubes.
- OPTIONAL – Garnish with an orange slice, fresh basil and cherries.
Fabulous cocktail! I lightened mine up with soda water but the flavor was incredible. Thank you for the recipe!
I made the Cherry Whiskey Sour recipe yesterday before going to a cocktail party. I thought a few others might enjoy the cocktail but had no idea it would be such a hit. I was asked to bring a bigger batch next time!
Yum!! Love the cocktail.
This is a great cocktail !! It was a big hit at my party !!
Not usually a whiskey drinker, absolutely love this cocktail! You won’t be disappointed!!
This is a fabulous cocktail ! It was a big hit at my party ! Thank you !
This is definitely one of my favs!