Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

This Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour is tart and boozy with a hint of sweetness and a flavor profile that is perfect for the winter holidays. You’ll love this holiday spin on the classic whiskey sour!

All About Whiskey Sours

Sours are a family of cocktails that are mixed drinks made with a base liquor + acid (typically lemon juice) + sweetener.

Some of the most well known sour cocktails include the New York sour, margarita, amaretto sour, and the traditional daiquiri. And, naturally, the Whiskey Sour! 

The first recipe for a whiskey sour was recorded in the 1860s, but egg whites weren’t added to the drink until the 1920s.

It’s thought that sour cocktails were popular among sailors as a means of preventing scurvy — there are worse tasting medicines, to be sure! 

The elegant simplicity of the whiskey sour made it an instant favorite and has remained a staple cocktail at bars around the world since the late 1800s. 

What Makes this Version Special

You can create so many different variations of this classic recipe by using different liquors, acids, and sweeteners while sticking to the classic proportions.

This version of the classic whiskey sour is perfect for the winter holidays because of the flavors of cranberry and orange, however I’ve (mostly) stayed true to the classic whiskey sour recipe and ratios.

Instead of adding cranberry juice, which isn’t included in a whiskey sour, I’ve substituted a cranberry orange simple syrup in place of plain simple syrup.

To add a little extra pop of orange, I split the typical lemon juice between lemon and orange to give this cranberry holiday cocktail a more complex citrus flavor.

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Tools Use to Make a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour 

You’ll need a few kitchen tools to prepare this cranberry holiday cocktail. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started with the recipe:

• Small Saucepan — to make the cranberry simple syrup.
• Measuring Cups — for measuring simple syrup ingredients.
• Fine Mesh Strainer — to strain the cooked cranberries out of the simple syrup after cooking.
• Mason Jar — for storing leftover simple syrup. 
• Cocktail Shaker — this whiskey cranberry cocktail is shaken to froth up the egg whites!  
• Cocktail Strainer — strainers are helpful if you want to double strain your cocktail.
• Jigger — the easiest way to measure the ingredients in this holiday cocktail.

What’s in a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour?

This whiskey cranberry cocktail has two components – the spiced cranberry orange simple syrup and the cranberry orange cocktail ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make both:

For the Spiced Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup

The simple syrup is easy to prepare, can be made in advanced, and used in a variety of recipes so I highly recommend that you make your own rather than purchasing a store bought version:

• Fresh Cranberries
• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Cinnamon Stick
• Orange Zest

For the Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Recipe:

• Bourbon Whiskey
• Fresh Orange Juice
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup
• Egg White

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this holiday cranberry cocktail, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

The most time consuming part of this recipe is preparing the cranberry orange simple syrup, and that can be done in advance.

After you make the simple syrup, the rest of the cocktail mixes up in just a couple minutes. I opted to make my whiskey sour with an egg white, but you don’t have to. 

However, I’m going to walk you through the steps of making this cranberry orange whiskey sour recipe with an egg white so you know how to do it properly. 

1. Make the simple syrup: Head over to this post the the recipe for cranberry simple syrup for all the. details. The only thing you’ll be doing different in this recipe is adding the orange zest and a cinnamon stick to the ingredients as they cook.
2. Make the whiskey sour: Measure all of the cranberry orange cocktail ingredients into an empty cocktail shaker.
3. Shake the mixture vigorously, without any ice, for about 30 seconds.
4. Remove the lid and add ice to the cocktail shaker. Replace the lid and shake the cocktail for 30 more seconds.
5. Strain the cocktail, dividing it between two glasses. Serve immediately.

This is simply a quick summary of this cranberry orange whiskey sour cocktail. You’ll find the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Garnishes

Want to dress up your orange and cranberry whiskey sour for a holiday happy hour? Here are some fun garnish ideas:

Fresh Rosemary Sprigs – a sprig of fresh rosemary will add a pop of green and subtle herbaceous notes to this cranberry holiday cocktail.

Orange Twist – much like a lemon twist, an orange twist makes a simple and pretty garnish!

Sugared Cranberries – for an extra pop of red, try threading sugared fresh cranberries onto a cocktail pick. They’re always pretty paired with cranberry cocktails, easy to make, and tasty!

Dried Orange Slices – they are so versatile during the holiday season – from drink garnishes to decor and homemade gifts! Learn how to make dried orange slices.

Cinnamon Sticks – cinnamon sticks always make an easy holiday cocktail garnish when you don’t have time for anything fancy. Try adding a cinnamon stick as you’re making the cranberry simple syrup for a pop of warm spices in this cocktail.

​Tips for Making a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

• Use quality whiskey — Because whiskey is the star of this holiday cranberry cocktail, you want to make sure you’re using a quality bottle. Plus, just think of how many cocktails you can make at home for the price!
• Wash the outside of the orange first — because you’re zesting the orange for the simple syrup, you want to clean the outside of the orange first.
• Make the simple syrup in advance — For quick cocktail making, prepare the simple syrup up to 1 week in advance. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make cocktails. You can also freeze the simple syrup in ice cube trays; this makes it easy to thaw just enough for one or two cocktail.
• Don’t serve over ice — Whiskey sours are not served over ice because the ice dilutes them. If you want your drink to stay cold longer, you can pre-chill your glass by filling it with ice or popping it in the freezer for a few minutes before adding the cocktail.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour FAQs

Got questions about how to make this cranberry orange cocktail recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

What kind of whiskey should I use?

First, you’ll need to decide if you want to use Bourbon Whiskey or Rye Whiskey. Rye is drier and spicier, while bourbon is sweeter.

You may use either so long as you choose a good quality bottle. The rye (or bourbon!) is the star ingredient of this cocktail, so you’ll want to choose a brand you like.

I’ve used bourbon in this recipe, but here are recommendations for both in the mid price range:

• Basil Hayden 
• Breckenridge Bourbon
• Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
• Laws Whiskey House 
• Woodford Reserve

Can the simple syrup be made with frozen fruit? 

Yes! You can use frozen cranberries if you don’t have any fresh cranberries. No need to thaw them first.

What does the egg white do in a whiskey sour?

The egg white in a whiskey sour creates a pretty layer of foam on top of the cocktail once shaken, and it also makes the drink taste richer and creamier.

Do I have to add egg white to my cranberry orange whiskey sour?

No, feel free to omit the egg white if you want to. The texture and taste of this whiskey cranberry cocktail will be slightly different, but still enjoyable!

Are cocktails with egg white safe to drink?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to drink this cranberry whiskey sour with the egg white. The alcohol content will kill any bacteria that may be present.

However, if you’re concerned about drinking raw egg whites, you can always buy pasteurized eggs at the store (which are safe to consume raw) or you can pasteurize eggs at home for cocktail making. 

Should you shake or stir?

Whiskey sours are always shaken. You get a nice foam on top of the cocktail because shaking froths the egg white. This gives the cocktail a delicious taste and texture.

How do you shake a whiskey sour?

There are two ways you can shake your cranberry orange whiskey sour – choose according to your personal preferences:

• Dry shake — Add the ingredients to your cocktail shaker, shake once WITHOUT ice, then add the ice and shake for a second time. This create a layer of egg white foam on the top of your drink. 
• Reverse dry shake — Add the ingredients to your cocktail shaker, shake once WITH ice, then strain out the ice and shake for a second time. This results in an even foamier cocktail. 

Try this Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour!

Next time you’re looking for delicious cocktails to serve at your holiday parties, give this Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour recipe a try!

Did you love the festive spin on the classic whiskey sour? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this festive cocktail!

More Holiday Drinks

Get into the holiday spirit by making yourself a Gingerbread Martini! This Christmas martini is made with Baileys and vodka, and it tastes just like gingerbread!  

In this Cranberry Rosemary Shrub Cocktail a homemade cranberry shrub with hints of black pepper, rosemary, and cinnamon is combined with bourbon and seltzer for a festive and colorful drink.

Fresh pressed apple cider, tart pomegranate juice, and Tempranillo pair with mulling spices and fresh fruit to create a delicious holiday season Mulled Wine recipe.

Sweet, creamy, and spiced, this Spiked Eggnog is the perfect cocktail for a holiday party or Christmas morning! It’s easier than you think to make your own eggnog.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the cocktail index to look for more holiday drinks.

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