Kentucky Bourbon Sour

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smooth, balanced sour featuring Kentucky bourbon, fresh lemon, and a hint of maple syrup, perfect for sipping on a crisp evening. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together Kentucky bourbon, Fresh lemon juice, Pure 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 320 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.

Prep: 5 min Serves 1 Cocktails cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz Kentucky bourbon, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz pure maple syrup. Add 1 cup ice cubes and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and diluted.
  2. Step 2: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass, discarding the ice. Gently swirl the glass to aerate the drink until a light foam forms on the surface, about 5 seconds.
  3. Step 3: Garnish with a thin lemon twist, expressing the oils over the drink before placing it on the rim.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Kentucky Bourbon Sour take to make?

Total time is about 5 minutes (5 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 Kentucky Bourbon Sour?

Refrigerate any leftover kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.

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