A delicious whiskey sour with a holiday twist! This Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour adds the flavors of cinnamon and maple to create the perfect spiced cocktail. Perfect for enjoying during the holidays.

When it comes to cocktails, whiskey (bourbon) cocktails rank highest on my list. Whether it’s an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, my selection lands on one of the two when I’m dining out. And a Whiskey Sour is not far behind.

My “take” on the Whiskey Sour — with a little holiday spin — is called the Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour. This cinnamon and maple version is slightly sweet but is balanced by the fresh lemon juice.

It’s a spiced twist to the traditional whiskey sour that is perfect for the holidays. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this whiskey sour in the comfort of your home.

Ingredients you’ll need to make this cocktail:

Whiskey, and more specifically, bourbon, will be the base of this cocktail. See below for a few suggestions if you don’t have a favorite.
Fresh lemon juice will provide that slightly sour taste that makes this cocktail what it is.
You’ll need real maple syrup along with simple syrup that is made using a 1:1 ratio of turbinado sugar (paid link) and water.
You’ll also need ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks if you choose to add them as a garnish.
And last but not least, a few cocktail cherries.

Which whiskey bourbon should I use?

Everyone has their favorite, but I will share a few that I’ve used that work well with this cocktail. You can’t go wrong with Noble Oak, Buffalo Trace, Larceny Small Batch, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden’s, Old Forester, or Bulleit. One thing to note…a mid-range or young bourbon will do. I’m not opposed to expensive or high-quality bourbon used in cocktails, but I would much instead savor and enjoy those “neat.” You can also use rye whiskey if you want a more intense flavor.

How to make your whiskey sour:

Making simple syrup using turbinado sugar

Add turbinado (raw) sugar and water into a cup and stir until the sugar dissolves. If you don’t have raw sugar on hand, you can use regular granulated sugar. Place it to the side.
Add crushed ice into the cocktail shaker. Pour your bourbon, maple, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice into the shaker and shake for 30 seconds.
Pour into a rocks glass with 1 large ice cube (paid link).
Add a cinnamon stick and a few cocktail cherries (optional) and serve.

This is a fairly simple recipe, and if you like a cocktail with a little sweetness added, this will be a must-try. The simple syrup and maple syrup combined with the cinnamon will have you feeling like you need to be in front of a nice warm fireplace listening to good smooth music. 🙂

Single Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour on wooden board

This cocktail strikes the perfect balance of sweet and sour and represents everything we enjoy about the holiday season. So kick back, relax, and enjoy some warm, comforting sips from your new favorite whiskey cocktail.

Here are a few more holiday cocktails you might enjoy: