Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour – Autumn in a Glass (But With Bite)

Introduction

Few cocktails evoke fall like the Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour—a vibrant twist on the classic, perfectly blending tart cranberry, warming cinnamon, and the robust bite of whiskey. This eye-catching drink is more than a seasonal novelty; its bold flavor profile, festive color, and tantalizing aroma make it a crowd-pleasing signature cocktail for any autumn gathering, from cozy dinners to lively holiday parties.

Deliciously Unique Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

This recipe stands apart for its use of real cranberry juice and a splash of homemade cinnamon simple syrup. These ingredients infuse the drink with a layered, spicy sweetness and a lively, tart kick. The combination elevates the traditional whiskey sour, giving it complexity and depth—each sip is like autumn in a glass, with a lingering warmth and the zing of citrus and berry.

Crafting the Perfect Cinnamon Simple Syrup

Homemade cinnamon syrup couldn’t be easier: mix equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, toss in a couple of cinnamon sticks, and simmer for about 10 minutes. The syrup can be prepared in advance and keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge. This fragrant addition mellows the whiskey’s edge and pairs beautifully with the cranberry’s tang.

Assembling Your Autumn-Inspired Cocktail

Start by shaking together bourbon or rye whiskey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tart cranberry juice, and your cinnamon syrup. Add ice for a chilled finish and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. If you love a touch of froth, add a dash of egg white and shake vigorously. Garnish with extra cranberries and a cinnamon stick for a picture-perfect presentation and extra festive flair.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

Serve in short tumblers or coupe glasses, with a cinnamon stick and orange or lemon peel twist. For parties, pre-mix a pitcher (without ice or garnish) and refrigerate—just pour and garnish when guests arrive. Pair this cocktail with rich appetizers like baked brie or savory autumn dips for a satisfying flavor balance.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes two generous cocktails. Each serving contains roughly 150-180 calories, depending on the amount of syrup and juice used. It’s an indulgent but reasonable treat for evenings when you want to celebrate the season.

Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour – Autumn in a Glass (But With Bite) (Recap)

With its bright color, bold bite, and nostalgic autumnal flavors, this Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour is the ultimate fall cocktail. The interplay of tart cranberry, spicy cinnamon, and smooth whiskey creates a unique drink that’s both comforting and invigorating.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list—no more missed ingredients, and your cocktail hour is always covered. CookifyAI makes planning fall celebrations easy and stress-free!

Instructions

1. Make the Cinnamon Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and let cool. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks. Store syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
2. Shake the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, add whiskey, lemon juice, cranberry juice, cinnamon syrup, and egg white (if using). For a frothy drink, dry shake (no ice) for 20 seconds, then add ice and shake again until well chilled. If skipping egg white, just shake with ice until frosty.
3. Strain and Serve: Strain into rocks glasses filled with ice or serve straight up in a chilled coupe.
4. Garnish: Add fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick, and a twist of lemon or orange peel. Serve and enjoy your autumn-inspired creation!

Weekly Meal Planning

This cozy, crowd-friendly cocktail recipe is ideal for weekly meal (and party) planning. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to effortlessly plan your fall menus and events. Generate a smart shopping list that combines all your ingredients for the week, so you have everything in one trip.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates the exact amounts of each ingredient you’ll need for drinks and meals
• Organizes your shopping list by sections—produce, liquor store, spices—for easy, time-saving grocery runs
• Makes sure you never buy extra cinnamon sticks or accidentally forget cranberry juice
• Helps you seamlessly coordinate drinks and food for parties or weeknight dinners

Pro tip: If planning a batch for a party, schedule all your recipes to consolidate quantities—CookifyAI keeps your ingredient amounts accurate and your autumn hosting stress-free.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cinnamon Syrup: 10 minutes (plus cooling)
Total Time: 20 minutes (plus syrup cooling time)