How to Make the Blizzard

The Blizzard might sound like something you should be drinking halfway up a ski slope, but there is no cream, coconut or avalanche of crushed ice involved. Instead, this wonderfully simple whiskey cocktail brings together bourbon, cranberry, fresh lemon and simple syrup for a drink that is fruity, tart and surprisingly refreshing.

It is also ridiculously easy to make. If you have bourbon and a bottle of cranberry juice at home, chances are you already have almost everything you need.

What is a Blizzard?

The Blizzard is a bourbon or blended whiskey cocktail made with cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. It belongs very comfortably in the sour family of cocktails, with whiskey providing the backbone, lemon bringing acidity and simple syrup balancing everything out.

Cranberry is what makes the Blizzard a little different. Its tart fruitiness works beautifully with bourbon, particularly those lovely vanilla, caramel and spice notes that make whiskey such a natural choice once the weather begins to cool.

Despite its wintry name, I wouldn’t save this exclusively for winter. Cranberry starts feeling right as soon as autumn arrives, making this a great cocktail for all those evenings in between.

What You Need to Make a Blizzard

Bourbon: The original recipe allows for bourbon or blended whiskey, although I prefer bourbon. You don’t need to pull out your most expensive bottle here. Choose a bourbon you enjoy drinking that has enough character to stand up to the cranberry and lemon.

Cranberry juice: Cranberry brings both fruit and tartness to the cocktail. Check the bottle before pouring because cranberry juices and cranberry juice cocktails can vary enormously in sweetness.

Fresh lemon juice: Please squeeze it fresh. You only need half an ounce, and that little bit of acidity makes a huge difference to the finished drink.

Simple syrup: Equal parts sugar and water will do the trick. The recipe calls for a full ounce, although you can adjust this slightly if your cranberry juice is already particularly sweet.

Lemon slice: A simple lemon slice is all you need for the garnish.

How to Make a Frozen Blizzard

Here is where the cocktail finally begins living up to its name. Add the bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and simple syrup to a blender with approximately ½ cup of ice. Blend for just a few seconds, until the drink is cold and slushy, then pour it into a chilled wine glass.

The ingredients haven’t changed, but the texture completely transforms the cocktail. It is a particularly good version if you want to serve the Blizzard earlier in the autumn when the weather hasn’t quite caught up with your desire to start drinking whiskey cocktails again.

Why A Lush Life Loves It

I love discovering whiskey cocktails that go beyond the usual Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Whiskey Sour. I adore all three, but bourbon is much more versatile than we sometimes give it credit for.

The Blizzard proves the point. Cranberry gives it a completely different personality without hiding the whiskey, while the lemon keeps the sweetness under control. It is also one of those cocktails you can make without hunting down an obscure bottle that will then live untouched at the back of your drinks cabinet for the next five years. Best of all, there is a frozen version!

What Bourbon Should I Use?

There is no need to sacrifice an extremely old or expensive bourbon to your cocktail shaker. A good everyday bourbon with plenty of vanilla, caramel and spice is exactly what you want.

The cranberry and lemon are assertive enough that a very delicate whiskey can disappear, so choose something with a little personality. If you prefer blended whiskey, you can absolutely use it, as the original recipe suggests.

If you’re beginning to experiment more with whiskey drinks, the Blizzard is also a good reminder that bourbon cocktails don’t always have to be dark, strong and spirit-forward.

More Whiskey Cocktails to Try

Once you have the bourbon bottle out, don’t stop with the Blizzard. Head over to my Cocktail Recipes and discover more classic and modern whiskey cocktails to make at home.

Here is the recipe