Tired of regular (although delicious) Whisky Sours? Give it a twist with this Gold Rush Cocktail recipe! Bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup blend together to create a just right drink for all bourbon lovers.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
223
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz honey syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel or twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Strainer & Fine-strainer
- Rocks Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Fill a rock glass with ice cubes and set it aside.
- Pour 1 oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Measure and pour 1 oz honey syrup into the shaker.
- Add 2 oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Shake vigorously.
- Take the rocks glass and, using the cocktail strainer, discard the extra water from the ice cubes. Add more ice cubes if necessary.
- Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture from the shaker into the ice-filled glass. Add more ice if necessary.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey can be a good substitute. It has a spicier profile than bourbon, but it still works well in this cocktail. For a smoky flavor, try using Scotch whisky instead. The one from the island of Islay will give you an intense peated flavor: you can either use it alone or experiment by blending it with another type of whisky (½ oz of Islay Scotch whisky and ½ oz of bourbon can be a great combination for example).
- Lemon Juice: Lime juice can be used as a substitute if you run out of lemons. It will give the cocktail a slightly different taste but still delicious.
- Honey Syrup: If you're not a fan of honey or don't have it available, simple syrup or agave nectar can be used as substitutes. Maple syrup can also be used as a twist.
Making a Pitcher of Gold Rush Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of lemon juice, and 8 oz of honey syrup.
- Mix: Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a large pitcher. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled rocks glasses, garnish with a lemon wheel or twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. You can also use apple juice as a substitute for the bourbon.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Honey Syrup Substitute: To make this cocktail vegan, replace the honey syrup with agave nectar or maple syrup. Both are plant-based sweeteners that can be used in place of honey.
What is a Gold Rush Cocktail?
A Gold Rush Cocktail is a bourbon-based classic cocktail with three simple ingredients: bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup. This cocktail is not complicated to make as it only requires mixing these three ingredients properly. The Gold Rush Cocktail is a variant of the classic Whiskey Sour but uses honey syrup instead of sugar for sweetness.
What is a Gold Rush Cocktail made of – The ingredients
You will require these ingredients to craft a Gold Rush Cocktail:
- Bourbon: This is the base spirit of the Gold Rush cocktail. It provides a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy freshness to balance out the sweetness of the honey and the strong flavor of the bourbon.
- Honey Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and adds a smooth, floral note. It also helps to blend the flavors.
- Ice Cubes: Used to chill the cocktail and slightly dilute the strong flavors, making it more palatable.
- Lemon Twist (for garnish): Enhances presentation and adds a subtle hint of citrus aroma when sipped.
