A 3-ingredient cocktail that's lower in sugar than the classic, these Kombucha Whiskey Sour Cocktails are refreshing, light, and 100% perfect for summer.
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Introduce a new "skinny" cocktail to your rotation with these Kombucha Whiskey Sour Cocktails! They're ultra-low on sugar, but big on that summer cocktail refreshing flavor. Use your favorite flavors of kombucha or experiment with new ones to find your new go-to summer happy hour drink!
Today, folks, we're going to talk about my not-so-secret "performance-enhancing" drink -- whiskey!
I know, I know. What kind of "health food" blogger am I if I condone whiskey as a "performance" drink?! 🙄
Well, clearly I'm a real human blogger who loves a good pour of bourbon. 😂 Plus -- just ask my running friends -- some of my best runs are the morning after I had a whiskey cocktail or two!
I don't know if it's that I'm more relaxed, slept better, or just still running off the high of a fun time, but there's something about the distilled beverage that just makes me feel fresh the next morning... if consumed in moderate amounts, of course. 😉
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Because, let's not even talk about what happens if I decide to run hill repeats the morning after having a few too many and/or throwing some wine into the mix.... Whoops. 🤭
If I stick to whiskey or bourbon, though, and keep the sugar low and the hydration high I can usually be down for a great run the next morning.
And that's precisely where these Komucha Whiskey Sours come in. Ultra low in sugar and big on flavor, these cocktails have no simple syrup to encourage hangovers, eggs to make them complicated, or bitters to make them a project.
They're just simple and delicious... and have a few health benefits, too (source).
So much so that they improve your running? Probably just a figment of my (hopeful) imagination. But that's not our only reason to kick back and enjoy life a bit every now and then, is it?
So, cheers! To the good things and the good runs and life. I hope these drinks bring you all that and more.
These Kombucha Whiskey Sours are...
- Tangy
- Refreshing
- Light
- Cooling
- A healthier cocktail option
- Versatile
- Low in sugar
- Egg-free
- Made with 3 ingredients
- Perfect for outdoor happy hours
These whiskey sours have been my favorite summer cocktail so far, and for good reason-- they're hydrating and refreshing but don't leave me with a weird hangover, thanks to their low sugar content.
And let's face it-- the older I get, the more I worry about hangovers, but I promise you, I'd drink these suckers even if they did give me bad hangovers!
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Cocktail ingredients:
The sweet & sour flavor of Kombucha makes our Whiskey Sour ingredient list quite short, low in sugar, and healthier for us:
Bourbon whiskey -- you don't need to buy an $80 bottle of whiskey for this recipe (unless if you want to!), but you'll want a decent quality bourbon. See my notes below for my favorite brands of bourbon at around $20-35 dollar/bottle.
Kombucha -- some brands are adding more sugar these days so take a look at your ingredient list. Look for under 7.5 grams of sugar per 8 ounces.
Lime -- when doesn't some citrus step a cocktail that extra notch?! Lime juice in this recipe brightens up all the flavors and pulls the drink together, adding that metaphorical cherry on top!
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What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink made with tea, juice, sweetener, bacteria, and yeast. It's a effervescent drink with natural carbonation. Because of the fermentation, Kombucha has a tart finish, making it perfect for these whiskey sour cocktails!
I won't lie, though, some people don't prefer the flavor of kombucha, but try it out for yourself -- at the very least with some whiskey. 😉 I love how refreshing the drink is and also love the health benefits it provides!
What health benefits does Kombucha have?
Kombucha has a host of health benefits, some of which include:
- Gut-healthy probiotics
- Mood support
- Antioxidants
Or, check out more in this source article!
Where do you find kombucha?
You can find kombucha at most major grocery store chains and health food stores here in the United States. You can almost always find it at Whole Foods (or order it through Amazon) here in the United States.
Side note: I love the Health-Ade kombucha flavors. Check out this link for free shipping on your order!
What flavors of kombucha are best for this recipe?
You can use your favorite flavor of kombucha for this recipe, but here are some of my favorite flavors if you'd like a starting point or recommendation!
- Watermelon
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Pink Lady Apple
- Ginger Lemon
- Ginger Berry
- Pomegranate
Does kombucha have a lot of sugar?
Some kombucha brands these days do add more sugar, but kombucha traditionally does not have a lot of sugar. Aim for a bottle or brand of kombucha that has under 7.5 grams of added sugar per 8 ounces.
Why are we so concerned about the amount of sugar in this cocktail?
Not only is reducing our processed sugar better for us (source) but moderately consuming cocktails with less sugar -- along with drinking plenty of water -- also help to decrease our chances of getting hungover (source).
What is the best type of whiskey for this recipe?
Yumm --- I always love chatting about Whiskey!
We'll want Bourbon whiskey for these cocktails! The slightly sweeter and woody flavor of Bourbon is just what we want for this drink.
My favorite bourbons are Old Elk (a Fort Collins distillery that distributes nationally!) and Maker's Mark. Bulleit bourbon is also pretty tasty in this cocktail.
How do you make Kombucha Whiskey Sours?
- Fill your glasses with ice.
- Pour in 1 to 1.5 parts bourbon whiskey.
- Pour in 2.5 to 3 parts of your kombucha of choice
- Squeeze in one lime wedge.
- Lightly stir your drink.
- Enjoy!
It's that simple... as all happy hour events and beverages should be. 🙂
Tools needed to make this recipe:
Thankfully, you don't need many tools to make these drinks! Here are all that I used:
If you want to make the fancy large whiskey ice cubes, you can also make them with this super neat large ice cube mold tray.
How to serve these refreshing drinks + a note about the mugs!
You can serve these drinks in whiskey tumblers, whiskey rocks glasses, or you can serve them (like I like to do) in Moscow mule mugs!
My favorite Moscow mule mugs are from Moscow Muled. Their mugs are handcrafted, well-made and sturdy, and are competitively priced. Just make sure to hand wash those mugs (it's worth it, I promise!) instead of throwing them in the dishwasher so you can enjoy their beauty for the years to come.
What to serve these cocktails with?
These cocktails are perfect on their own for happy hour, but they're also delicious with snacks and dinner. Here are some pairing recommendations:
- Tortilla Chips & Peach Avocado Salsa
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Goat Cheese and Almond Stuffed Dates
- Coconut Shrimp
- Spicy Honey Grilled Chicken
- Spicy Bourbon Glazed Salmon
- Melted Brie with Raspberry or Cherry Preserves
A few kombucha cocktail perfection tips:
Make your dream cocktail each time with these pro-tips!
- Use your favorite bourbon -- the flavor of bourbon will come through on this, so choose your best or favorite bourbon for the most delicious results. I personally love Old Elk or Maker's Mark for this cocktail!
- Don't shake your kombucha before pouring -- not only will the bottle likely erupt when you open it, but it will disturb the natural carbonation of the drink.
- Don't over mix the cocktail -- all of the ingredients mix together quite easily, so all we need is a few light stirs with a spoon!
- Don't shake the cocktail -- the kombucha is already carbonated so we don't need to shake it. Just gently stir the ingredients together with a spoon and you're set!
- Use a high-quality kombucha -- once again, all the ingredient flavors are going to be front and center in this drink, so don't skimp on a good kombucha. Most bottles are only $3-5 in stores (and even cheaper if you buy in bulk!) so they still shouldn't break the bank compared to the price of some other cocktail ingredients.
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Other favorite summer recipes & Kombucha Whiskey Sour pairings you might enjoy:
- 3 Ingredient Healthy Yogurt Popsicles
- Spicy Honey Chicken Marinade
- Mexican Chicken Marinade
- 5 Bean Salad
- Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Greek Quinoa Salad
Looking for another Skinny Summer Cocktail? Check out my Pomegranate Sea Breeze Cocktail Recipe.
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Kombucha Whiskey Sour Cocktails
Choose your favorite kombucha flavors for this cocktail. I love ginger, apple, watermelon, and strawberry lemonade flavors to name a few!
For a stronger cocktail, do 1.5 parts bourbon and 2.5 parts kombucha; for a more mild cocktail, just do 1 part bourbon and 3 parts kombucha.
Ingredients
- 1 - 1.5 part bourbon whiskey
- 2.5 - 3 parts kombucha (flavor of your choice)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Fill your glass or mug with ice cubes.
- Add the whiskey and kombucha and squeeze in one lime wedge. Lightly stir the drink with a spoon and serve cold!
Notes
1. Use a mug, whiskey tumbler, or whiskey rocks glass to serve these drinks.
2. My favorite brands of whiskey bourbon to use in these cocktails are Old Elk, Maker's Mark, and Builleit.
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1 cocktail with 1 ounce bourbon + 3 ounces kombuchaAmount Per Serving Calories 97Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 6mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 2g
This nutrition breakdown is just an estimate of the nutritional value of this recipe and cannot be taken as facts. The owners of Mae's Menu are not nutritionists or dieticians and therefore cannot be held accountable for this nutrition estimate. Please contact your nutritionist or medical professional for a nutritional breakdown of this food. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.