The Gold Rush Cocktail is a modern creation that is straightforward to make with the perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors. It’s made with just three ingredients, bourbon, honey simple syrup and lemon, for a nice balanced drink.
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The Gold Rush Cocktail was created in the early 2000’s by T.J. Siegel, a friend of the owner of the Milk & Honey Bar in New York City. Because of it’s simplicity and well-balanced flavors, it became very popular, very quickly.
This beverage is made with just three ingredients, bourbon, honey syrup and lemon – all gold in color, which could explain the name Gold Rush. These ingredients also give the drink a smooth, pleasant mouthfeel and a sweet, tangy flavor.
It’s a spin off of classic cocktails such as the ever popular Whiskey Sour, a personal favorite, where sugar is used rather than honey and the Bees Knees Cocktail that is made with gin, rather than bourbon.
If you’re a fan of either of these cocktails, you will most likely enjoy this Gold Rush Cocktail, as well.
Why This Recipe Works
It’s a very easy cocktail to prepare with just 3 ingredients. Mixing everything together takes less than 5 minutes.
The flavor is a delicious balance of sweet and sour which many people enjoy.
You can make a single serving or a pitcher to serve a crowd. This cocktail can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator to chill before serving over ice.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon: use your favorite bourbon that isn’t too aged for the best flavor.
- 1 ounces honey syrup: you can make it homemade (see the Tips and Techniques section below) or use store-bought. Traditionally, a honey syrup on the sweeter side is used with a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio.
- 1 ounces lemon juice: use fresh squeezed for the best flavor.
- Lemon peel (optional garnish)
The entire recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Juice a lemon. You can use bottled lemon juice, but the flavor just isn’t the same. You may find you need less bottled lemon juice than what is stated in the recipe.
Create!
Add the bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake for for 30 seconds until chilled.
Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass and strain the cocktail over the ice.
Present!
Garnish with a lemon peel, if desired.
Serve immediately.
Tips and Techniques
- You can adjust the amount of honey syrup and lemon juice to suit your own tastes.
- To make honey syrup, add 1 cup of honey to 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the honey has fully dissolved. Cool and transfer to an airtight storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- The recipe can be scaled up and made in a pitcher to serve a crowd. Chill it in the refrigerator before serving, or up to 24 hours. Serve over ice.
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Gold Rush Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounces honey syrup
- 1 ounces lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- Lemon peel (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, honey syrup and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounces honey syrup, 1 ounces lemon juice
- Shake for for 30 seconds until chilled.
- Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass and strain the cocktail over the ice.
- Garnish with a lemon peel, if desired.Lemon peel
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- You can adjust the amount of honey syrup and lemon juice to suit your own tastes.
- To make honey syrup, add 1 cup of honey to 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the honey has fully dissolved. Cool and transfer to an airtight storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- The recipe can be scaled up and made in a pitcher to serve a crowd. Chill it in the refrigerator before serving, or up to 24 hours. Serve over ice.
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