Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes, Seasonal Cocktails

Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour cocktail in a rocks glass with amber whiskey, large ice cubes, orange wedge, and cinnamon stick garnish on a marble bar top with blurred autumn leaves background. Text reads Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour with Bartend Long Island logo

Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 cocktail

This Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour is our fall-inspired riff on the classic whiskey sour. Smooth bourbon, tart lemon, and rich maple syrup get a warming kick from cinnamon. It’s a seasonal cocktail that’s equal parts cozy and refreshing, perfect for fall gatherings or sipping fireside.

If you’re searching for easy fall cocktails with whiskey or want a twist on the classic whiskey sour, this one delivers. We first mixed it at a Hamptons barn wedding, where guests loved the balance of spice, citrus, and bourbon sweetness.

About This Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

The classic whiskey sour combines whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. In this fall version, we swap sugar for real maple syrup and add cinnamon for warmth. The result is a cocktail that’s tart, spiced, and smooth — everything you want in a fall drink.

Pro link: Hosting a crowd? Use our Alcohol Calculator to scale whiskey sours for your guest list.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.75 oz pure maple syrup
  • 1 dash ground cinnamon (or cinnamon bitters)
  • Ice
  • Optional: egg white for silky texture
  • Garnish: cinnamon stick or lemon wheel

Steps

  1. Shake: Add bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ice to a shaker. (Optional: add egg white for froth.)
  2. Dry shake: If using egg white, shake once without ice, then again with ice until chilled.
  3. Strain: Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
  4. Garnish: Add a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.

Bartender Tips

  • Bourbon vs rye: Bourbon gives sweetness, rye adds spice.
  • Egg white optional: Creates a silky “Boston Sour” style drink.
  • Balance: Adjust maple up or down based on your cider and lemon’s tartness.

Flavor Pairings

  • Pairs with: apple pie, pecan bars, roasted nuts.
  • Mixes well with: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger.

DIY Cinnamon-Maple Syrup

Simmer 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup water, and 2 cinnamon sticks for 5 minutes. Cool and strain. Stores in fridge up to 2 weeks.

Variations

  • Smoky Whiskey Sour: Use a peaty Scotch in place of bourbon.
  • Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour: Add 0.5 oz apple cider for extra fall flavor.
  • Mocktail: Use brewed black tea instead of whiskey, keep lemon + syrup.

When to Serve

Perfect for fall happy hours, Thanksgiving, or cozy nights in. Guests love it as a seasonal welcome cocktail before dinner.

Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour FAQs

Is maple syrup good in a whiskey sour?

Yes! Maple syrup blends smoothly and adds depth that sugar can’t. It’s less cloying and gives an earthy sweetness.

Can I use cinnamon bitters instead of ground cinnamon?

Absolutely. Cinnamon bitters are a cleaner way to layer spice without texture in the drink.

What whiskey works best?

Bourbon for sweet and smooth, rye if you like a spicier finish.

See more Cocktail Recipes or try another Maple Old Fashioned.