Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour
A complex, earthy cocktail balancing bourbon's smokiness with black walnut bitters, maple, and lemon for a deeply satisfying, tart finish. This cocktails & drinks-inspired cocktails & beverages ready in about 10 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz maple syrup
- 2 dashes black walnut bitters
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- fill shaker ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz bourbon, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz maple syrup, 2 dashes black walnut bitters, and 1 dash Angostura bitters with ice cubes.
- Step 2: Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until the shaker is very cold and the ingredients are fully emulsified.
- Step 3: Strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice, and garnish with a lemon peel.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover bourbon black walnut bitters sour in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bourbon Black Walnut Bitters Sour?
Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & beverages like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Amazing, will make again!
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family loved the cocktail at the party.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect balance, but the black walnut syrup took a bit longer to make than expected.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.