Cherry Sour
This cherry sour is bright, tart, and lightly sweet, with bourbon, lemon, and tart cherry juice shaken over ice. It is simple enough for a weeknight drink but pretty enough for a small celebration.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
A cherry sour is a fruit-forward twist on a classic whiskey sour. Fresh lemon gives it the “sour” part, while tart cherry juice adds color and a gentle berry-like flavor.
This version keeps the method easy: shake everything with ice, then strain it into a glass. No egg white is needed, so the drink stays quick and simple.
Use unsweetened tart cherry juice if you can. It balances the simple syrup and keeps the cocktail from tasting like candy.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 1 cocktail
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce unsweetened tart cherry juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- 1 cocktail cherry or fresh cherry, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Fill a rocks glass with ice and set it aside while you mix the drink. A cold glass helps the cherry sour stay crisp longer.
2. Measure the liquids
Pour the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, tart cherry juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Measuring matters here because too much syrup can hide the lemon and cherry.
3. Add ice
Fill the shaker about halfway with ice. The ice chills the drink and adds a little dilution, which means it softens the alcohol and brings the flavors together.
4. Shake well
Close the shaker tightly and shake for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold. If you do not have a cocktail shaker, use a clean jar with a tight lid.
5. Strain the drink
Dump the ice from the chilled rocks glass if it has started to melt a lot, then add fresh ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice.
6. Garnish and serve
Add a cocktail cherry or fresh cherry. Serve right away, while the drink is cold and the lemon tastes bright.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can mix the bourbon, lemon juice, tart cherry juice, and simple syrup up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Do not add ice until you are ready to shake, or the drink will become watery.
- Storage: A mixed but unshaken cherry sour can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The lemon flavor will soften over time, so it is nicest the day it is made.
- Sweetness swap: If your tart cherry juice is very sharp, increase the simple syrup to 3/4 ounce. If you prefer a drier drink, reduce it to 1/4 ounce.
- Spirit swap: Rye whiskey gives the drink a spicier edge. Vodka makes it lighter and less oaky. Gin works too, but the flavor will be more herbal.
- No simple syrup? Stir 2 teaspoons granulated sugar with the lemon juice until dissolved, then add the other liquids. The texture will not be quite as smooth, but it works.
- For a foamy version, dry shake the drink first without ice with 1/2 ounce aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Then add ice and shake again. This optional addition is not included in the nutrition estimate.
Cook's note
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water. To make a small batch, heat 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar just until the sugar dissolves, then cool. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use sweet cherry juice instead of tart cherry juice?
Yes, but reduce the simple syrup to 1/4 ounce at first. Sweet cherry juice can make the drink taste flat if you use the full amount of syrup.
Do I have to use fresh lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is strongly recommended. Bottled lemon juice often tastes dull or bitter, and this drink depends on clean, bright acidity.
What glass should I use for a cherry sour?
A rocks glass is the easiest choice, especially if serving over ice. You can also strain it into a chilled coupe glass if you prefer it served up, without ice.
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the bourbon with 2 ounces chilled black tea, nonalcoholic whiskey alternative, or sparkling water. If using sparkling water, shake only the lemon, cherry juice, and syrup with ice, then strain and top with the bubbles.
Why does my drink taste too sour?
Lemons vary in acidity. Add another 1/4 ounce simple syrup, shake again briefly, and taste. You can also add a splash more cherry juice for a rounder flavor.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium3 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate20 g
- 7%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars18 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium6 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium80 mg
- 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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