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Josh and Matt bring you visions of a bright red glass, a room full of friends, and a recipe that earns its place at the table—our cranberry whiskey sour brings seasonal flavor to a timeless form while telling the story of how a humble template shaped cocktail culture. We start with the build: rye for spice, cranberry for tart depth, fresh lemon for lift, real maple for warmth, and orange bitters to tie it all together. Then we zoom out to the roots of the sour—spirit, citrus, sugar—born from sailors fighting scurvy and refined from ship to saloon.

Across the episode we share why the whiskey sour is a benchmark order at any bar and how mastering it unlocks the logic behind the many other popular cocktails. Our holiday variant respects the classic while speaking in winter tones—cranberry’s tannic snap, maple’s woodsy echo, and a bright orange twist. You’ll leave with a reliable recipe, a sharper palate for balance, and a new way to explain why a “basic” drink often carries the deepest craft.

If this story and recipe hit the spot, follow and subscribe, share with a friend who loves cocktails, and leave a review telling us your favorite whiskey sour riff. Cheers to balance and to better holiday drinks.

Christmas Cranberry Whiskey Sour

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 4 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz real maple syrup
• 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• A couple dashes of orange bitters

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.

Garnish - Orange twist

Makes 2 cocktails

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