The holidays are the perfect time to craft a Cranberry Boston Sour Bourbon Cocktail. If you like your cocktails with a sophisticated touch, this sassy cranberry-based sour just might be for you. Made with Bourbon and Cranberry Simple syrup, it’s a unique twist on an old classic.
What is a Boston Sour?
The Boston Sour is a unique take on the classic bourbon sour. The addition of cranberry and bitters gives it a fruity flavor that isn’t overpowering, but still has enough bite to make it special.This cocktail can be made as a single, or in a big batch! We love cranberry season, and grab a few extra bags to keep in the freezer. We make our own cranberry syrup, which is so easy! So, let the festivities begin!
What is the origination of the Boston Sour?
The Boston Sour, distinguished from the Whiskey sour with the addition of egg, first appeared in recipes in William Schmidt’s 1892 The Flowing Bowl. It’s believed that the egg white helped smooth the harsh, bootleg alcohol used in Whiskey Sours during prohibition, which is why it was first introduced.
The Boston Sour is a unique take on the classic bourbon sour. The addition of cranberry and bitters gives it a fruity flavor that isn’t overpowering, but still has enough bite to make it special.This cocktail can be made as a single, or in a big batch! We love cranberry season, and grab a few extra bags to keep in the freezer. We make our own cranberry syrup, which is so easy! So, let the festivities begin!
Igredients for Cranberry Boston Sour Bourbon Cocktail:
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Bourbon: Adds depth and richness to the drink, providing a warm and robust flavor profile.
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Cranberry Simple Syrup: Infuses the cocktail with a sweet-tart cranberry essence, offering a unique fruity undertone.
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Lemon Juice: Provides the cocktail with a refreshing, citrusy tang that balances the sweetness and complements the bourbon.
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Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Enhances the overall fruitiness and acidity of the drink, contributing a bright, zesty note.
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Egg White: Creates a silky and creamy texture, contributing to a velvety mouthfeel and adding a frothy top layer.
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Aromatic and Orange Bitters: Introduce complex and complementary layers of flavor, enhancing the cocktail’s depth and complexity.
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Fresh Cranberries for Garnish: Not only aesthetically pleasing, they hint at the cocktail’s key ingredient and add a festive touch to the presentation.
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Fresh Rosemary Sprig for Garnish: Infuses a subtle herbal aroma that complements the overall sensory experience, adding a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
How to make a Cranberry Boston Bourbon Sour Cocktail:
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Prepare the Garnish: Take three fresh cranberries and skewer them using a metal drink skewer. Insert a sprig of fresh rosemary through the cranberries to create an elegant garnish. Set this aside for later use.
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Measure and Combine Ingredients: Gather all the liquid components of the cocktail, including the bourbon, cranberry simple syrup, lemon juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, egg white, aromatic and orange bitters. Combine these ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
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Dry Shake and Add Ice: Shake the mixture vigorously in the cocktail shaker without ice. This process helps create a delightful foam. Then, add ice to the shaker and shake the contents vigorously once again.
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Strain into a Chilled Martini Glass: Double strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. This ensures a smooth, refined texture for the cocktail.
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Garnish: Complete the presentation by garnishing the cocktail. Take the previously prepared rosemary-speared cranberries and place them atop the cocktail, adding an elegant finishing touch.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Bourbon Cranberry Sour:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce orange juice fresh squeezed
- 1 egg white
- 3 drops aromatic bitters
- 3 drops orange bitters
- 3 fresh cranberries for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
Instructions for Bourbon Cranberry Sour:
- Using a metal drink skewer, pierce 3 fresh cranberries down core. Insert fresh rosemary into the cranberries to create a garnish, set aside.
- Measure all liquid ingredients, including egg white & bitters into cocktail shaker
- Dry shake, vigorously, without ice, to create foam. Add ice, and shake vigorously again.
- Double stain into chilled martini glass
- Garnish with rosemary speared cranberries.
Nutrition
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More Bourbon Cocktails:
More Holiday Bourbon Cocktails from our friends:
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Ned says
Made this for my wife and her friends and they loved it. Thank you!
Anjali says
What a fun cocktail for the fall and winter season!! This would be perfect to serve when we host my family during the holidays!
suja md says
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Ann says
I’m a bourbon girl from Kentucky. Looking forward to mixing things up with this Boston drink. Thanks!
Tara says
Such a fun and delicious cocktail! Definitely perfect for the holidays and I love the styling.