On The Rocks Debuts Bourbon-Forward Whiskey Sour With Jim Beam

The new ready-to-drink cocktail leans on Jim Beam's signature profile and orange cordial depth.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 2:41am

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On The Rocks has released a new ready-to-serve Whiskey Sour cocktail made with Jim Beam bourbon. The drink was created by renowned bartender Joaquín Simó, who aimed to showcase the core flavors of the bourbon rather than masking it. The cocktail features a rich mouthfeel, caramel and toffee notes from the Jim Beam, and a subtle floral sweetness from orange cordial.

Why it matters

This release marks On The Rocks' first permanent cocktail built around a major spirit brand. By working with an acclaimed bartender to develop a ready-to-drink version of a classic cocktail, the brand is aiming to raise the bar for pre-made cocktails and provide consumers with a high-quality, portable option that highlights the base spirit.

The details

Simó, a past winner of Tales of the Cocktail's American Bartender of the Year award, opted for a more classic whiskey sour recipe over the egg white-based version. To maintain a rich mouthfeel without the egg white, he incorporated orange cordial, which adds brightness and a mellow sweetness to complement the bourbon's confectionary notes. The goal was to ensure the Jim Beam remained the star of the drink.

  • The On The Rocks Jim Beam Whiskey Sour was released in February 2026.

The players

Joaquín Simó

The longtime Global Brand Ambassador for On The Rocks and one of the most influential bartenders to come out of New York's Death & Co. He is a past winner of Tales of the Cocktail's American Bartender of the Year award.

Fred Noe

The 7th generation master distiller for the James B. Beam Distilling Company, who was surprised by how well the ready-to-drink cocktail captured the flavor of Jim Beam bourbon.

On The Rocks

A brand that has spent the past decade carving out a niche in the ready-to-serve space by leaning on bartender-developed recipes rather than novelty flavors.

James B. Beam Distilling Company

The distillery behind the Jim Beam bourbon brand, which is the world's best-selling bourbon.

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What they’re saying

“We opted towards the more classic version of the whiskey sour, versus the silver version with an egg. Going egg-free meant giving up the natural froth and creaminess that come from shaking with egg white, so he had to build texture another way.”

— Joaquín Simó, Global Brand Ambassador, On The Rocks

“We ensured that the heart of the drink was always centered on that delicious Jim Beam Bourbon. All the modifiers were calibrated to ensure that the whiskey's core flavors were being echoed and complemented, not masked or buried.”

— Joaquín Simó, Global Brand Ambassador, On The Rocks

“When I tasted it, I was amazed that they could make one and put it in a bottle and taste that good. It's kind of cool that you can now carry something like that with you when you're going to the pool or going on a golf course or whatever you're doing. Just get your glass, ice, pour it on there and enjoy it anytime you want.”

— Fred Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller, James B. Beam Distilling Company

What’s next

On The Rocks plans to continue expanding its ready-to-drink cocktail lineup, potentially exploring other spirit-forward classics in the future.

The takeaway

This release demonstrates how ready-to-drink cocktails can capture the complexity and quality of a professionally-crafted drink, providing consumers with a convenient way to enjoy a high-end cocktail experience outside the bar.