Home > Eating In > Cocktails > Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

This post may contain affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Sip into the spirit of the season with a twist on a classic cocktail. This recipe for a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour combines tangy cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and the warmth of whiskey. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist, or a casual cocktail enthusiast, this cocktail is sure to become a favorite on your holiday hit list.
Servings: 2 drinks
Total Time: 10 minutes
cranberry orange whiskey sour in a glass garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

As the holidays approach, we’re elevating our drink game with this vibrant and festive cranberry orange whiskey sour. The zing of cranberries, the citrusy burst of fresh squeezed oranges, and the warmth of whiskey come together in perfect harmony, creating a cocktail that’s both refreshing and full of seasonal flavor.

cranberry orange whiskey sour in a glass garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions


This cocktail is very easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker.

In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

  • Whiskey: We used bourbon whiskey which has a sweet and smokey flavor but you can use your favorite brand of whiskey or bourbon. Normally, the better the whiskey the better the cocktail – in this case you can get away with a value brand.
  • Cranberry Juice: We are using a high-quality, unsweetened cranberry juice that’s not from concentrate. This is not your everyday Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail. If you do substitute this with a cranberry cocktail, double the amount you add and you’ll probably not need any additional sweetener. The cranberry flavor won’t come through as clearly, so it may be worth a purchase of the real stuff.
  • Orange Juice: Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. Store-bought orange juice from concentrate will also usually contain added sugar, which would make this drink too sweet.
  • Simple Syrup: If you don’t have simple syrup, you can make your own by combining equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan and heating over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
  • Orange and Cranberry Bitters: To balance the sweet and sour taste of the cocktail we added a combination of orange and cranberry bitters. They give the drink a complex and complete flavor.

How to Make a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour


Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
This post may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.

Pro-tip: This cocktail is easy to make ahead of time and can be made in batches, making it perfect for parties.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour: Fill two glasses with ice cubes then shake two splashes of orange bitters and cranberry bitters into each glass over the ice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the bourbon or whiskey, cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, and simple syrup. Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill the ingredients and aerate the mixture. Using a cocktail strainer, pour the mixture into the glasses over the ice. Garnish each glass with an orange slice, cranberries, and a spring of rosemary.

Recipe Tips and Notes


  • You can adjust the amount of cranberry juice and orange juice to your own taste. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more orange juice. If you prefer a more tart cocktail, add more real cranberry juice.
  • For a more festive presentation, you can rim the glass with sugar before adding the cocktail.
cranberry orange whiskey sour in a glass garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

More Holiday Cocktails to Try


Looking for more festive holiday cocktail recipes? Try these other favorites:

  • Apple Cider Mimosa – The perfect fall brunch cocktail. They’re easy to make, delicious to drink, and festive to serve. Made from fresh apple cider, a splash of bourbon, and your favorite sparkling wine.
  • Cranberry Aperol Spritz – A seasonal spin on the classic Italian cocktail. Combining Aperol, cranberry juice, and fresh orange juice with effervescent prosecco, it is a refreshing drink perfect for holiday celebrations.
  • Holiday Manhattan Spritz – a fun holiday spin on the classic manhattan cocktail. All the flavors of a Manhattan, but lightened up with a splash of black cherry seltzer.

Let’s Connect! If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Casual Epicure, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are considering making our recipes and we love hearing about your cooking experiences. And if you snapped some shots, share them on Instagram, and be sure to tag @casual.epicure so we can feature them in our stories.

cranberry orange whiskey sour in a glass garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

Posted by Melissa
Sip into the spirit of the season with a twist on a classic cocktail. This recipe for a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour combines tangy cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and the warmth of whiskey. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist, or a casual cocktail enthusiast, this cocktail is sure to become a favorite on your holiday hit list.
5 from 1 vote

This recipe may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 2 drinks
Calories 276 kcal

Want To Save This Recipe For Later?

Enter your email to have this recipe sent to your inbox.

Ingredients  

  • 6 ounces bourbon or whiskey
  • 3 ounces cranberry juice, not from concentrate
  • 2 ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 ounce simple syrup, adjust to taste
  • 4 shakes of orange bitters, 2 per glass
  • 4 shakes of cranberry bitters, 2 per glass
  • frozen cranberries, for garnish
  • orange slices, for garnish
  • rosemary sprig, for garnish
  • ice

Instructions 

  • Fill two glasses with ice cubes. Shake two splashes of orange bitters and cranberry bitters of ice.
  • In a shaker filled with ice, combine bourbon or whiskey, cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, and simple syrup.
  • Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and aerate the ingredients.
  • Strain the mixture into the glasses over the ice.
  • Garnish each glass with an orange slices, cranberries, and a spring of rosemary.

Notes

1. Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. The nutritional value will vary based on the type and amounts of ingredients used. It does not include the nutrition for any substitutions or additions.
2. Be sure to check out the Key Ingredients along with the Recipe Tips and Notes sections found in the post, for more tips, options, substitutions, and variations for this recipe! You will also find step-by-step photos.
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @casual.epicure to be featured on our stories!
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe




Scroll to Top