Apple & Orange Bourbon Sour, with Allspice Simple Syrup

If there’s one thing I’ve realized during this past year of semi-quarantine, it’s just how much I’ve missed in-person dining. That magical feeling that comes when someone else is cooking something delicious for you to enjoy. It’s not only nourishing for the body, it’s a way to feed your creative soul as well – getting out there to see what others are making in their kitchens. I remember a particular boost to my cocktail aspirations after tasting the possibilities of a bourbon sour on one of our (now exceedingly rare) outings. The smooth bourbon was paired with orange and a bit of burnt sugar, and it inspired to create a bourbon twist of my own – this Apple & Orange Bourbon Sour, with Allspice Simple Syrup!

What is a bourbon sour?

A ‘sour’ is a type of classic cocktail made with a spirit base, a little sweetener, and a citrus, like lemon or orange. Traditionally an egg white (or possibly high-protein chickpea water called aquafaba), will be added to create a silky foam topper, but like everything about cocktails, it’s open for interpretation! While many sours are based on whiskey or gin, bourbon can make a beautiful cocktail, especially when paired with tangy and fresh orange juice. This is an outstanding bourbon cocktail that’s a breeze to make!

Okay, I get the sour. Did you also say apple?

There’s plenty of room to be creative in cocktails! Bourbon pairs beautifully with so many other flavors, and I just love the hint of sweet apple juice in this cocktail. The tangy apple and fresh orange create this amazingly refreshing combination that’s genuinely one of the best bourbon cocktail recipes I’ve made. To accompany the crisp, fruity flavor, and take the drink to the next level, I also created a flavored simple syrup recipe using maple and allspice berries. When everything comes together, this drink is an amazing sipper. Sweet, citrusy, and with a hint of spice, my orange & apple bourbon sour cocktail is a great way to start off your night!

How do you make these syrups from scratch?

Homemade simple syrups are one of the easiest ways to introduce secondary flavors to a cocktail, without overwhelming the whole drink. Typically made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, ‘simple’ cocktail syrups can be infused with a whole host of sweeteners and flavor additions. I decided to use half pure Canadian maple syrup and half sugar as my base, with water, and a few allspice berries. Simply bring the ingredients to a boil for 10 minutes and then strain the solids out. A simple syrup can last in your refrigerator for about two weeks, as long as it is sealed in a clean glass jar.

What if you’re out of bourbon? Are there any subsitutions?

Whiskey makes a great substitution, if you aren’t a bourbon fan. I would recommend using a smooth and mellow whiskey, one that has more citrus notes, rather than on the smokey side. That way the spirit won’t overwhelm the other flavors in this recipe.

Cheers!

Apple & Orange Bourbon Sour with Allspice Simple Syrup

makes one 8 ounce cocktail

4 ounces filtered apple juice

2 ounces bourbon

1 ounce maple allspice simple syrup*

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed Cara Cara orange juice

dash of Regans’ Orange Bitters

citrus wheels, apple slices, or blackberries for garnish

In the cup of a shaker, pour the apple, lemon, and orange juices.

Add the bourbon and simple syrup, along with a large handful of ice.

Close the shaker and vigorously shake for at least 30 seconds.

Take an Old Fashioned glass or large tumbler, and fill halfway with ice.

Strain the drink into the glass and add a dash or two of orange bitters.

Garnish with a cocktail stick of blackberries, an orange wheel, or a twist of lemon.

Maple Allspice Simple Syrup

makes 1 cup

1/2 cup pure Canadian maple syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/2 Cara Cara Orange, sliced

3 allspice berries

Place all of the ingredients into a small sauce pan, set over medium high heat.

While stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil.

Let boil for 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and strain the maple simple syrup into a glass jar with fitted top. Discard the solids.

Refrigerate.

The cocktail syrup will last about two weeks in the chiller.

Print Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Apple & Orange Bourbon Sour with Allspice Simple Syrup

The tangy apple and fresh orange create this amazingly refreshing combination that’s genuinely one of the best bourbon cocktail recipes I’ve made. To accompany the crisp, fruity flavor, and take the drink to the next level, I also created a flavored simple syrup recipe using maple and allspice berries. When everything comes together, this drink is an amazing sipper. Sweet, citrusy, and with a hint of spice, my orange & apple bourbon sour cocktail is a great way to start off your night!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, French

Servings: 1 cocktail

Author: Jessie-Sierra Ross

Cost: $4

Ingredients

• 4 ounces filtered apple juice
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce maple allspice simple syrup*
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed Cara Cara orange juice
• dash of Regans’ Orange Bitters
• citrus wheels, edible flowers, or blackberries for garnish

Instructions

• In the cup of a shaker, pour the apple, lemon, and orange juices.
• Add the bourbon and simple syrup, along with a large handful of ice.
• Close the shaker and vigorously shake for at least 30 seconds.
• Take an Old Fashioned glass or large tumbler, and fill halfway with ice.
• Strain the drink into the glass and add a dash or two of orange bitters.
• Garnish with a cocktail stick of blackberries, an orange wheel, or twist of lemon.

Video

Apple & Orange Bourbon Sour! by straighttothehipsbaby on Jumprope.

Notes

Whiskey makes a great substitution, if you aren’t a bourbon fan. I would recommend using a smooth and mellow whiskey, one that has more citrus notes, rather than on the smokey side. That way the spirit won’t overwhelm the other flavors in this recipe.

Print Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Maple Allspice Simple Syrup

ypically made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, ‘simple’ cocktail syrups can be infused with a whole host of sweeteners and flavor additions. I decided to use half pure Canadian maple syrup and half sugar as my base, with water, and a few allspice berries.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, French

Servings: 1 cup

Author: Jessie-Sierra Ross

Cost: $3

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pure Canadian maple syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 Cara Cara Orange sliced
• 3 allspice berries

Instructions

• Place all of the ingredients into a small sauce pan, set over medium high heat.
• While stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil.
• Let boil for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and strain the maple simple syrup into a glass jar with fitted top. Discard the solids.
• Refrigerate.
• The cocktail syrup will last about two weeks in the chiller.