Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters
A smooth, spirit-forward bourbon cocktail enhanced with rich cherry bitters and a whisper of orange zest. This cocktails & beverages-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together bourbon, sweet vermouth, dashes cherry bitters 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
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes cherry bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass halfway with large ice cubes to chill without excessive dilution.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 3 dashes cherry bitters, and 2 dashes orange bitters into the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the surface to release oils, then rim the glass and rest the peel inside as a garnish.
- Step 6: Optionally, garnish with a fresh brandied cherry on a cocktail pick laid across the glass rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 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 Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters?
Refrigerate any leftover stirred bourbon cherry bitters 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 Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters?
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 Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters 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 Stirred Bourbon Cherry Bitters?
Cocktails & Beverages 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.
