Maple Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail

It’s officially Fall, and I’m shaking up a beautiful signature cocktail, my Maple Ginger Bourbon Sours! These drinks are layered with the sweet spice of ginger, the warmth of maple syrup, a bit of lemon, and rich bourbon for a golden cocktail you’ll be drinking all season.

Maple Ginger Bourbon Sour

Every season needs its own signature cocktail in my house. Something that feels just right for the moment, is delicious, and is super simple to mix up. This fall, my Maple Ginger Bourbon Sour is the signature cocktail I’m making over and over again.

I absolutely love this as a beautiful cocktail to offer guests, whether you’re serving a crowd at a cocktail party or simply mixing up drinks for friends who drop by unexpectedly. This is one of those cocktails that feels classic and sophisticated but takes only a few minutes to shake up. It will make your guests appreciate the extra care you put into it without taxing the host.

This twist on a classic bourbon sour starts with fresh ginger slices in the bottom of the cocktail shaker, which infuse the drink with warm, spicy flavor without overpowering it. Maple brings just the right amount of seasonal sweetness, pairing beautifully with the bourbon and lemon. Add a few dashes of bitters, and you’re ready to serve.

And let’s not forget that gorgeous golden color! It’s so inviting and pretty against any table decor. Add a little lemon twist for garnish, and it’s happy hour.

I’ve included this Maple Ginger Bourbon Sour as part of my Double Date Night Skip the Takeout Menu, and the ginger pairs beautifully with the warm Chicken Peanut Satay Dip and the Hoisin Salmon and Roasted Carrot Bowls. It’s a laid-back way to entertain a small group at home without the hassle of ordering a bunch of takeout and trying to please everyone with a million different dishes.

My Maple Ginger Bourbon Sour will be making an appearance at gatherings at my house all autumn long. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on my Thanksgiving table, either—it’s such a simple stunner. But even more likely, I’ll be shaking one up while I’m making Thanksgiving dinner the night before, just to keep things extra festive.

Hosting Notes

• I like to include the slices of fresh ginger in the cocktail shaker and then strain them out in the end. If you’d like a drink that’s even stronger on the ginger, you could try grating a tiny bit of ginger into the cocktail shaker as well.
• Selecting your bourbon here makes a big difference in the way the drink will taste. You don’t need the most expensive bourbon, but it should be something that you enjoy drinking. Different flavor profiles of the bourbon change the drink significantly.
• I typically serve this drink on the rocks with a lemon slice garnish. You could also do a little lemon twist or rock candy ginger as a garnish.
• You can batch these in advance if you like. Just shake with ice before serving.

A Fall Twist on the Classic

My Maple Ginger Bourbon Sours are the perfect drink paired with the rest of my Double Date Night Menu. That menu features asian flavors throughout including chicken peanut satay served in dip form and make your own bowls with hoisin glazed roasted salmon. It’s a beautiful impromptu menu for serving friends in the Fall.

This cocktail would also be a welcome addition to many of my other menus on The Mid Century Modern Romantic. I sometimes add this cocktail in when serving my Casual Make Ahead Dinner Party Menu. It pairs nicely with the white chicken chili with brie on that menu. It would also be more than welcome alongside my Romantic Winter Dinner Menu for Two, which features a rustic sausage and white bean skillet. That’s a gorgeous pairing. Or if you just feel like matching a drink and a dessert, try it with my Chai Pumpkin Pie Tarlets! Very Fall.

Try this Ginger Maple Bourbon Sour and you’ll be shaking it up for hosting events all season long! I may just become your Fall signature drink as well.