By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026

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Kumquat Whiskey Sour

Serves 2

145 cal · 5 min

Kumquat Whiskey Sour

Recipe GLPR38d7711b87507d

3.8(1)
Beverage
5 min
145 cal
Servings: 2
No-Cook

A sophisticated cocktail combining fresh citrus juices with muddled kumquats and bourbon, balanced with simple syrup. This tart and slightly sweet sour-style drink is perfect as an elegant aperitif or cocktail hour refreshment.

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Ingredients

1 lemon, juiced

1 lime, juiced

3 kumquats, sliced and deseeded

2 1/2 ounces simple syrup

1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey

1 kumquat round, for garnish

Directions

  1. Slice the 3 kumquats into thin rounds and carefully remove any seeds from inside each slice.

  2. Cut the lemon in half and juice thoroughly to extract approximately 1/2 to 3/4 ounce of fresh juice. Repeat with the lime.

  3. In a cocktail shaker, place the sliced kumquat rounds and gently muddle them for about 10 seconds to lightly bruise and release their oils and juice.

  4. Add the fresh lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and bourbon whiskey to the shaker.

  5. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until well-chilled.

  6. Strain the cocktail into two chilled coupe or cocktail glasses, dividing evenly between them.

  7. Garnish each glass with a single kumquat round and serve immediately.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff3.75

Kumquats are a real find in Charlotte in winter months—you'll locate them at Harris Teeter's specialty produce or Publix, but not as a standard stock at Food Lion or ALDI, so budget the second stop for this one. The spirit and basic citrus (lemon, lime) cost next to nothing, keeping the per-drink price under $3, though kumquats themselves run $4–6 per pound depending on season. The stated five minutes is honest if you have simple syrup ready; if you don't, add ten minutes to make it. This is a same-night cocktail—no leftovers, no reheating—and works well for two people or as a batch for a small gathering, though the kumquat supply limits how far you can scale it.

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