Cherry Whiskey Sour (with Bourbon and Amaretto)

This Cherry Whiskey Sour cocktail is made with bourbon, amaretto, and fresh cherries for a spin on both the classic whiskey sour and amaretto sour. 

Sour cocktails are a specialty of mine – you should also check out my Negroni Sour, Midori Sour, or Chambord Sour. If you’re after more amaretto drinks, check out my Amaretto Fizz.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips and FAQ
• Related Recipes
• Cherry Whiskey Sour Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

• Flavor – The oaky bourbon whiskey pairs perfectly with the fresh cherries and amaretto for a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and nutty. 

• Quick and easy recipe – It only takes a few simple ingredients and minutes to make a Cherry Whiskey Sour. 

• Easily scalable – This cocktail can be just as easily made to serve 8 as it is to serve 1 of these drinks. (Measurements for a crowd are in the recipe notes.) 

Ingredient Notes

• Fresh cherries – You can use frozen pitted cherries if cherries are not in season for you. Also, Luxardo jarred cherries work well here too, but they are expensive. I would not use the bright red, cheap maraschino cherries. 

• Bourbon whiskey – You can use whatever your favorite whiskey is in this recipe. My favorite is always a bourbon-style whiskey. Be sure to use a good whiskey – this cocktail is very spirit forward so it will only be a as good as the liquor you use.

• Amaretto – I use Disaronno whenever I use amaretto as it doesn’t completely break the bank and tastes good. Amaretto can be found at any liquor store. 

• Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice will always taste the best. Fresh lime juice would work well also. If you don’t have any fresh juices and you must use bottled lemon juice, opt for 100% lemon juice that is not from concentrate.

• Garnish – I used Luxardo cherries for my garnish. Again, avoid the bright red, cheap maraschino cherries if possible. A lemon wedge works great as a garnish too!

Pro-tip: If you like extra sweet cocktails, you can add a bar spoon (or two!) of cherry syrup from the Luxardo jar for an extra layer of flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the cherries to a cocktail shaker. 

Step 2: Then add the whiskey and amaretto.

Step 3: Add the lemon juice. 

Step 4: Muddle everything with a muddler or a wooden spoon. 

Step 5: Add ice to the shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into a double old fashioned glass filled with ice. 

Step 6: Garnish with extra cherries (optional). 

Tips and FAQ

Is a whiskey sour strong?

Yes, whiskey sours are very spirit forward. The cherries and lemon juice are the only non-spirit. Amaretto does have a lower ABV (alcohol by volume) than whiskey, which is usually 21-28%. Whiskey’s ABV is around 35-40%, sometimes higher. 

Can I make a batch of Cherry Whiskey Sour cocktails for a crowd?

Yes, you can find measurements to make 8 cocktails in the recipe notes below. 

Can I make a batch in advance?

Yes, you can make a batch of Cherry Whiskey Sour cocktails up to 1 day in advance. You will muddle everything in a large pitcher and chill. Don’t add ice until right before serving to prevent dilution. Make sure to give it a good stir before serving too. 

Don’t whiskey sours and amaretto sours use egg whites?

Yes, many recipes call for egg whites and others don’t. It’s not a requirement. Many types of whiskey sours that don’t have egg whites include “smash” cocktails, such as this Peach Bourbon Smash cocktail.

Related Recipes

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