Blackberries add a fruity twist to this bourbon whiskey sour! Sweet blackberries and earthy bourbon make a delicious fruity cocktail. A little lemon juice and orange liqueur add just the right citrus flavors.

Bourbon Whiskey Sour
You might be asking yourself, "Is this a bourbon sour, a whiskey sour, or a bourbon whiskey sour." The answer is, "Yes."
My husband and I did the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a few weeks ago and I learned so much about bourbon! If I could sum it all up in one sentence, that I heard repeatedly, it would be, "All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon."
It really is sort of that simple. Bourbon is a whiskey, but in order to be called bourbon, it has to meet the rules of bourbon.
The rules of bourbon state how much corn must be used, the barrels that it's aged in, specific proof requirements during the different stages of making the bourbon, and nothing can be added to bourbon, except water. That's why you won't find cinnamon bourbon, but you can find cinnamon whiskey.
Ingredients in a Whiskey Sour
A whiskey sour in it's simplest form contains whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and may optionally contain an egg white. Those simple ingredients leave plenty of room for changing up the classic whiskey sour recipe.
How to Make a Fruity Cocktail
One of my favorite ways to take a class cocktail through the seasons is by adding fruit. You can do this several ways. One way is to infuse the liquor, like this raspberry vodka.
Another way is to infuse simple syrup, which I haven't done with fruit, but I have done with herbs, like a rosemary simple syrup or a thyme simple syrup.
You can also make a shrub (or a drinking vinegar) like I did with this Peach Bourbon Sour.
The easiest way, which is the one I turn to when I want a fruity cocktail right now is to muddle the fruit with the liquor, like this Blackberry Cocktail. That is the method that I am using for today's Bourbon Sour, so grab some blackberries and let's get busy!
How to Make a Blackberry Whiskey Sour
To make your cocktail, it helps to gather all your ingredients together first, that way you are not running around looking for something in the middle of making your cocktail!
For this whiskey sour, you want an orange liqueur (my homemade orange liqueur would be great,) bourbon, *simple syrup (we make ours ahead of time and store in the fridge,) a lemon (or fresh squeezed lemon juice) and blackberries.
Combine the whiskey and the blackberries in a cocktail mixing glass and muddle until the blackberries break down. Add lemon juice, simple syrup and orange liqueur and stir. Note - I made both mine and my husband's cocktail at the same time, that's why the glass is so full!
Put some ice in a cocktail glass, we use one big ice cube because it melts slower and doesn't dilute the drink. Pour the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer and then garnish with more blackberries.
*Simple syrup - to make a simple syrup combine equal parts water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat, stirring, over medium heat. When sugar has dissolved, allow it to cool to room temperature and then store in a lidded bottle in the fridge. It will keep for about a month.
The Best Whiskey Sour Recipe
Okay, I probably say that "best" thing about all my cocktails! But really this whiskey sour recipe is so good! Even my husband, who prefers his bourbon straight with a small glass of water on the side, loved this cocktail!
The fruity blackberries pair perfectly with the warm earthy flavors of the bourbon. If you want to classify cocktails as manly or girly, I can safely say that this cocktail is genderless! It is both a manly cocktail and a girly cocktail!
More Bourbon Cocktails and Treats
Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Popsicles
And if that's not enough bourbon whiskey cocktails, be sure and follow my Scotch, Whiskey and Bourbon Cocktails Board on Pinterest.
Blackberry Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ยฝ ounce simple syrup
- ยฝ ounce orange liqueur
- ยฝ cup blackberries plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Place the whiskey and the blackberries in a mixing glass and muddle until the blackberries break down - about a minute or two.
- Add fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup and orange liqueur to mixing glass and stir.
- Place ice in cocktail glass and pour cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into glass.
- Garnish with extra blackberries if desired.









Andrea says
Omg just made this with a vanilla simple syrup and thank you so much for the new favourite cocktail! This recipe is amazing - happy hour is here ๐
Amy says
I love blackberries! Definitely trying this.
penelopi says
I dont normally like Whiskey but it must taste different as a fruity one! Great idea!
Pam Greer says
It really is so good!!
Lola Osinkolu says
Love how tempting this looks! And anything with blackberries can never go wrong!
Pam Greer says
Blackberries make everything better!
Andrea Blaine says
Iโm wondering where you found those amazing glasses that look like they have a goblet/stem inside the glass?! Neat!
Pam Greer says
Homegoods!
Krissy Allori says
This was so delicious! Especially with the blackberry garnish! I will definitely be making this again!
Pam Greer says
So glad you liked it!!
Sharon says
Sour cocktails are one of my favorite and this blackberry sour looks perfect to enjoy during the warmer months. Can't wait to try this.
Pam Greer says
They are one of my favorites too!
Michelle says
This recipe is awesome! I loved the flavor and it's the perfect cocktail for summer.
Pam Greer says
It really is the perfect summer cocktail!
Julie Menghini says
I bet the Kentucky Bourbon trail was a lot of fun. This blackberry Whiskey sour sounds delicious!
Pam Greer says
It was so much fun!