This easy cranberry orange whiskey sour cocktail recipe is perfect for fall! Bourbon, fresh orange juice, cranberry juice, and maple syrup make up this easy cocktail. Great to serve around the holidays, like Thanksgiving or Christmas! Just add everything into a cocktail shaker and you’re ready to serve. Garnish with sugar orange peel or fresh cranberries!

Highlights of this simple cocktail recipe:

Customizable
Fresh ingredients
Perfect for a crowd or for a holiday gathering
Recipe does not require any cook time
No fancy ingredients needed
Can be made with any kind of whiskey
Festive cocktail for holiday parties

Grocery Store List & Substitutions:

Bourbon of choice
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Pure cranberry juice
Maple syrup, honey, or homemade simple syrups
Ground cinnamon
Orange peels or fresh cranberries for garnish

Pro tips for the perfect cocktail:

Use a cocktail shaker to get a smooth chilled cocktail
Use fresh squeezed juices
Serve with a large ice cube or sphere
Enjoy your cocktail immediately
Don’t go overboard on garnishes
Serve chilled

This cranberry juice cocktail is tart and refreshing with the perfect hint cinnamon. Made with fresh ingredients and a touch of maple syrup for a slight sweetness. The whiskey lovers in your life will love this one for the holidays!

Quick steps for this easy whiskey cocktail:

Combine whiskey, cranberry, orange, maple, and cinnamon in a shaker with ice
Shake to combine
Serve over a fresh ice cube and garnish with an orange peel

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What is the best alcohol to use for a whiskey sour?

Whiskey: Rye whiskey or bourbon whiskey are both fine. Rye has a little bit of spice to it and bourbon is a little sweeter. Maker’s Mark and Jack Daniels are commonly used, but you can use all different types of whiskey.

What is a whiskey sour made of?

A whiskey sour is a mixed cocktail traditionally made of whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes an egg white for a bit of foam.

Do whiskey and cranberry go well together?

Yes! The fresh, tart flavors of the cranberry juice pair well with the smoky flavor of the whiskey. Adding in fresh orange juice adds a nice sourness and a touch of maple syrup adds the perfect sweetness.

I like to toss my orange peels in a bit of sugar for a fun festive garnish idea

Instructions for the cranberry whiskey sour:

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine bourbon, orange juice, cranberry juice, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Shake well to combine. Pour over a glass filled with ice and garnish with fresh cranberries or an orange peel. Enjoy immediately.

Variations and serving ideas:

Create a holiday bar for guests to whip up their own whiskey sours. Place ingredients, glasses, and a cocktail shaker on your bar for easily customized cocktails
Serve with fresh rosemary sprigs or cinnamon sticks
Garnish with fresh cranberries or fresh orange peel
If you do not have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar and strain through a fine mesh strainer
Make a batch and serve in a large pitcher

Great for the holiday season, this classic cocktail is made of simple ingredients. The perfect balance of fresh citrus, tart cranberry, and smoky bourbon.