Add a festive twist to a classic mixed drink with this cranberry orange whiskey sour. I love the combination of tart cranberry, zesty citrus, and smooth rye whiskey! While I usually serve this cocktail at Thanksgiving, it’s equally great for other fall occasions as well as Christmas!
What is a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour?
A cranberry orange whiskey sour is a seasonal twist on the classic whiskey sour cocktail, combining rye whiskey or bourbon with fresh cranberry juice, orange juice, and a hint of sweetness.
Adding some lemon juice can help to balance out the tartness of the cranberry and citrus with the warmth of the whiskey too.
You can mix all the ingredients together, or choose to layer them for an almost sunset-like look! This mixed drink is perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday season in general thanks to its flavor profile and stunning appearance.
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Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey (or bourbon)
- 1 ounce cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (or sour mix)
- ¾ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Any rye whiskey or bourbon whiskey you like is perfect! I’m using Bulleit rye. Don’t like whiskey? Substitute an aged or spiced rum (though it’s no longer a “whiskey” sour)!
- If you use sweetened cranberry juice (cranberry cocktail) then lower the amount of simple syrup to ½ ounce or less, to taste
- While less traditional, the lemon juice can be swapped for lime juice instead
- The simple syrup can be swapped for maple syrup if preferred, and can always be tweaked to your personal sweetness preferences
- Garnishes are optional, but I like a sprig of fresh rosemary, cranberries, and/or an orange slice for this cocktail. A maraschino cherry is also a common sour garnish
Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Variations
- Vodka Sour. Instead of whiskey, use vodka as the base spirit for a cranberry orange vodka sour. Feel free to use plain vodka, or a cranberry or orange-flavored vodka for extra reinforcement! Check out my Cranberry Vodka Sour for more info!
- Holiday. For a more holiday-forward version, garnish this drink with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for extra warmth in the beverage
- Ginger Cranberry. Swap the orange juice for ginger beer (add it at the end, after shaking the other ingredients) for a ginger cranberry whiskey sour variation!
- Egg White Foam. Add ½ ounce pasteurized egg whites with the other ingredients to the shaker. Shake without ice to froth, then add the ice in and shake again. This will create a layer of egg white foam on the drink
How to Make a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
- To a cocktail shaker (or similar) add the whiskey, cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a couple ice cubes
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a lowball glass filled with ice
- Garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, or a sprig of rosemary if desired (optional) and enjoy!
Optional Layering Directions
- Shake everything except the cranberry juice together and strain into the glass
- Pour the cranberry juice slowly over the back of a spoon over the top of the glass to create a layered effect (note: the cranberry sinks to the bottom)
This of course separates the two flavors more, so you’ll get a citrusy top and then a sweet-tart cranberry bottom as you drink it!
- Caramel Apple Whiskey Sour
What to Serve With Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sours
A cranberry orange whiskey sour pairs well with a variety of foods that complement its fruity, tart, and slightly sweet profile. Here are some good choices:
Charcuterie and Cheese Board
The whiskey sour’s fruitiness balances the richness of cured meats like prosciutto and salami, and pairs nicely with creamy cheeses like brie, gouda, or blue cheese.
Dried fruits and nuts on the board also echo the cocktail’s cranberry and citrus notes. Try my Cranberry Baked Brie for the perfect mix of cheese, fruit, and crackers to spread it on!
Roasted or Grilled Meats
Turkey, pork, or duck dishes bring out this cocktail’s warm whiskey notes. The cranberry and citrus notes in the drink highlight the savory elements in meats seasoned with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage.
My Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is a simple and delicious pairing for a main course!
Holiday Appetizers
Cranberry orange whiskey sours are ideal for the holiday season, so pair them with festive appetizers like bacon wrapped dates, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry brie bites, or savory meatballs.
These foods provide a hearty and savory contrast to the drink’s natural tartness!
Desserts with Citrus or Berry Flavors
Consider pairing with cranberry or orange-based desserts, like cranberry orange bread, citrus tarts, or even chocolate covered cranberry sauce.
These desserts mirror the notes in the cocktail, which only further enhances the flavor profile!
Salads with a Citrus Vinaigrette
A light green salad with a vinaigrette made from orange or lemon juice, then topped with cranberries and nuts, is refreshing and balances out the richness of the whiskey sour, making it a nice starter or side option.
Recipe FAQs
What Type of Whiskey Is Best for This Cocktail?
Both bourbon and rye whiskey work well. Bourbon lends a sweeter flavor, while rye whiskey gives a drier, spicier taste.
Use a quality whiskey that you enjoy drinking on its own, since you’ll still be able to taste the flavor of the alcohol prominently over the other ingredients.
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?
Yes, frozen cranberries make a great garnish for the cocktail.
You can use them in place of some of the ice as well, to add flavor and minimize dilution.
How Do I Create Foam on Top of the Cocktail?
Foam is entirely optional, but it’s achieved by adding an egg white to the cocktail shaker and shaking vigorously.
Do a dry shake (without ice) first, followed by a second shake with ice to create the foamy texture on the drink.
Can I Make This Cocktail in Advance for a Party?
While this cocktail is best enjoyed fresh, you can scale for desired servings and mix everything together up to 24 hours in advance. Store in a pitcher in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
If you plan to layer the drink, do not include the cranberry juice, and only add it to individual glasses when serving.
Should This Cocktail Be Served With Ice?
Yes, this sour is traditionally served with ice.
To minimize dilution, you can use larger, sphere ice cubes, chill the glasses in advance, or use frozen cranberries to cool it.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Whisky Sours
- One lemon freshly squeezed makes about 2 ounces of juice total. Use this as a frame of reference when scaling the recipe!
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar or something similar. You could also just stir everything in the glass well, and use a large ice cube or frozen cranberries to cool it while minimizing dilution
- As written, this drink is a medium strength (you can taste the whiskey but it’s not overpowering). Adjust the amount of whiskey as desired to adjust the strength
Whiskey Sour Storage and Serving Tips
- Glassware. The most common serving glass for this cocktail is a lowball of some kind, like a whiskey, rocks, or old fashioned glass
- While best enjoyed fresh, you can mix ingredients up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve (scale for as many as you like)
- Feel free to omit the cranberry juice when mixing if you want to layer later, or skip the simple syrup and allow guests to adjust to individual tastes
Final Thoughts
This cranberry orange mimosa is a sweet, tart, and citrusy twist on the classic cocktail! It’s perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas and the holiday season thanks to its unique flavor.
With just 5 ingredients and a few minutes to make, it’s also a great mixed drink when entertaining, as it’s delicious and low stress!
Use your favorite rye whiskey or bourbon to personalize this drink, or try some different flavor variations to create combinations and make it your own!
Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Cocktail
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Whiskey glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whiskey (or bourbon)
- 1 ounce cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (or sour mix)
- ¾ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker (or similar) add the whiskey, cranberry juice (unless layering; see notes), orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a couple ice cubes2 ounces rye whiskey, 1 ounce cranberry juice, 1 ounce orange juice, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a lowball glass filled with ice
- Garnish with cranberries, an orange slice, or a sprig of rosemary if desired (optional) and enjoy!
Notes
- Any rye whiskey (I use Bulleit) or bourbon whiskey you like is perfect! Don’t like whiskey? Substitute an aged or spiced rum or vodka instead
- If you use sweetened cranberry juice (cranberry cocktail) then lower the amount of simple syrup to ½ ounce or less, to taste
- While less traditional, the lemon juice can be swapped for lime juice instead
- The simple syrup can be swapped for maple syrup if preferred, and can always be tweaked to your personal sweetness preferences
- Garnishes are optional, but I like a sprig of fresh rosemary, cranberries, and/or an orange slice for this cocktail. A maraschino cherry is also a common sour garnish
- One lemon freshly squeezed makes about 2 ounces of juice total. Use this as a frame of reference when scaling the recipe!
- To layer the drink, mix everything except the cranberry juice as directed. Pour the cranberry over the back of a spoon on top of the drink to create a layered effect as it sinks to the bottom
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
