Whiskey Sour in a stemmed glass outdoors

Campfire Sour

A good sour wakes you up. Bourbon for backbone, citrus for bite, and sweetness to keep it all balanced. But take that lemon, drop it cut-side down on a hot grate, and suddenly you’ve got a drink that doesn’t just wake you — it lingers like smoke on your shirt after a night by the fire.


That grilled lemon is the secret. It takes the sharp edge off the sour and folds in a smoky sweetness that plain citrus just can’t deliver. One sip, and it feels like a porch light burning late while the coals still glow.

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Campfire Sour

Chief Flame Tamer Michael McDearman

Servings

1

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cuisine

Adult 21+

Category

Drink

By the FIre

A good sour wakes you up. Bourbon for backbone, citrus for bite, and sweetness to keep it all balanced. But take that lemon, drop it cut-side down on a hot grate, and suddenly you’ve got a drink that doesn’t just wake you — it lingers like smoke on your shirt after a night by the fire.

That grilled lemon is the secret. It takes the sharp edge off the sour and folds in a smoky sweetness that plain citrus just can’t deliver. One sip, and it feels like a porch light burning late while the coals still glow.

Campfire Sour

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Bourbon

  • 1 oz Grilled Lemon Juice (2-3 halved lemons, charred cut side down)

  • ¾ oz Simple Syrup

  • Ice

  • Lemon Wheel (garnish)

Directions

  1. Fire the Fruit

    Grill lemon halves cut-side down until the edges char and the juice bubbles — 3 to 4 minutes.

  2. Shake it Up

    In a shaker with ice, combine bourbon, grilled lemon juice, and syrup. Shake hard, let it frost.

  3. Pour with Confidence

    Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a fresh or grilled lemon wheel.