Mandarine Bourbon Sour

About This Cocktail

There’s something irresistible about a bourbon sour that leans citrusy without ever tipping into lemonade territory. The Mandarine Bourbon Sour does exactly that: bright, refined, and layered with that soft mandarin sweetness that plays beautifully with bourbon. It feels familiar at first… and then you get that gentle twist of orange-floral depth that quietly says, “Yeah, I’m not your everyday sour.”

The mandarine liqueur gives this one its personality, smoothing the edges while letting the bourbon keep its backbone. Shaken properly, you get that silky, cloud-like texture that makes you wonder why you don’t make more sours. It’s the kind of cocktail you can hand to almost anyone and they’ll assume you’re hiding a bartending certification somewhere.

Serve it in a chilled coupe if you want elegance, or over a single cube if you’re leaning more “Friday night at home.” Either way, this one brings sunshine without being sweet, structure without being stiff, and just enough citrus to make your bourbon feel dressed up.

Overall Balance

Bright citrus meets silky texture in a way that keeps the bourbon center stage without making the drink feel heavy. The mandarine liqueur slips in just enough orange-floral sweetness to round everything out, but never so much that it strays into fruity-cocktail territory. It’s refreshing, structured, and smooth — the kind of sour that feels easygoing but still intentional.

Notes & Fine Tuning Options

If you want more citrus: bump the mandarine liqueur by a quarter ounce.
If you want a firmer sour snap: add just a touch more lemon or reduce the liqueur slightly.
If you prefer a richer mouthfeel: shake harder and longer to build extra aeration.
If you want more bourbon presence: choose a higher-proof bourbon; the cocktail holds it beautifully.

Flavor Expectation

Expect a soft, fragrant citrus entry, a bright lift from the acidity, and a warm bourbon core that carries everything through. The finish is smooth with a lingering mandarin-orange glow.

Mandarine Bourbon Sour

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Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Total time

5

minutes

Ingredients

US Metric

• 2 oz 2 bourbon

• 1/2 oz 1/2 Mandarine Napoléon

• 3/4 oz 3/4 fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 oz 1/4 simple syrup

• 1 dash 1 orange bitters

Directions

• Add everything to a shaker with ice
• Shake until the shaker is frosty
• Using a fine mesh strainer, pour over a large rock
• Garnish with an orange peel if desired

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Equipment

• 
  Stainless Bell JiggerBuy From A Bar Above
• 
  Stainless Boston ShakerBuy From A Bar Above
• 
  Stainless Fine Mesh StrainerBuy From A Bar Above
• 
  Stainless Hawthorne StrainerBuy From A Bar Above
• 
  Silicone Bar MatBuy From A Bar Above

Notes

• ELEGANT. Like an elevated sidecar-meets-sour hybrid. Mandarin peel → bourbon vanilla → lemon snap.