Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour

Jump to Recipe

If you love tropical drinks that make you feel like you are on vacation, you have to try this Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour! A balance of whiskey, amaretto, orange liqueur, and fruit juice will bring you to the sunshine no matter where you are.

whiskey tiki bitters cocktail with dried orange garnish

Jump to:

Why I Love This Recipe
What are Tiki Bitters?
What Whiskey to Use for This Recipe
How to Make a Tiki Whiskey Sour
What Garnish to Use For This Cocktail
Recipe FAQ's
Other Tiki-Inspired Cocktail Recipes
Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour cocktail recipe because it combines a whiskey sour's classic charm with tiki bitters' exotic flair. The addition of tiki bitters adds a complexity that enhances the citrusy sweetness and adds a tropical twist to the favorite whiskey sour.

I also love this recipe because it makes me feel like I'm on vacation, just like my Gin Tiki Cocktail and my Passion Fruit Martini. Any twist on a classic cocktail is fun to experiment similar to my Blood Orange Pisco Sour and my Peach Whiskey Sour.

What are Tiki Bitters?

Tiki bitters are a blend of spices to add an enhanced flavor to your tropical drinks. It has cinnamon, allspice, ginger, citrus peel, and cardamom to name a few ingredients. Tiki bitters will balance a typically sweet tropical drink without overwhelming it.

bittermens tiki bitters in front of tiki glasses

What Whiskey to Use for This Recipe

I used rye whiskey in this cocktail because I like the bite in rye whiskey and I wanted to balance the sweetness of this drink. Rye whiskey is made with a rye mash, making it dryer, more intense, and a little spicy.

Bourbon whiskey is made with a corn mash so it tends to be sweeter. That being said, you can use any whiskey/bourbon you like and this drink will be delicious.

How to Make a Tiki Whiskey Sour

Prepare a lowball cocktail glass with fresh ice and a garnish stick with your choice of garnish. I used a cherry and a slice of orange.

empty cocktail glass with an orange and cherry garnish

Place all of the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10-12 seconds until nice and cold. Strain into the prepared glass and enjoy immediately. Cheers!

What Garnish to Use For This Cocktail

Tiki drinks always have a few garnishes to add to the fun of the cocktail. For this recipe, I used a dehydrated blood orange peel and a boozy cherry.

Other garnish options would be a fresh orange or lemon slice, a cocktail cherry, pineapple fronds, or a cocktail umbrella. Have fun with it!

Recipe FAQ's

What's The Difference between Whiskey and Bourbon?

Whiskey and bourbon are two distinct types of spirits, each with its own characteristics.

Whiskey is a broad category that encompasses spirits made from various grains, while bourbon is a specific type of whiskey that must be produced in the United States and primarily contains at least 51% corn in its mash bill.

Bourbon is aged in new, charred oak barrels, giving it a slightly sweeter and fuller-bodied flavor compared to other whiskies. It carries specific legal requirements and is recognized for its unique taste profile, making it a beloved American spirit.

Can I Make This Drink with a Different Liquor?

Yes, you can make this drink with another spirit like gin, vodka, or rum. The sour cocktail is a basic combination of sweet and sour and sometimes had an added foaming element like egg or aquafaba.

What Can I Substitute Grand Marnier For?

If you're looking for a substitution for Grand Marnier, there are a few options including Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Orange Curacao.

Other Tiki-Inspired Cocktail Recipes

If you get a chance to make this Tiki Bitters Whiskey Sour, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.