Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon Sour
A smooth bourbon cocktail with tart cherry and lemon notes, creating a balanced and vibrant sour with a rich finish. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh lemon juice, cherry liqueur 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 190 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
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz cherry liqueur
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 1 strip lemon twist
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add 2 oz bourbon, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz cherry liqueur, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 1 egg white into a cocktail shaker without ice.
- Step 2: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy texture.
- Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the brim and shake again vigorously for 12 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
- Step 4: Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to remove ice shards and ensure smoothness.
- Step 5: Garnish by skewering 1 maraschino cherry and resting it on the rim, then express a lemon twist over the surface, twisting to release oils and placing it on the edge of the glass.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon Sour take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (8 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 Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover elmhurst cherry bourbon 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 Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon 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 Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon 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 Elmhurst Cherry Bourbon Sour?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks 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.
