Make the Honey Badger recipe to chill out! Blend Bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, Honey, Ginger and lemon juice for a warm cocktail ideal for fall.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
218
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Bourbon
- ½ oz Yellow Chartreuse
- ⅓ oz ginger syrup
- ⅓ oz honey syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes of lemon bitters
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig - plus an extra one for garnish
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Measuring Jigger
- Muddler
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Rocks Glass
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Rocks glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 2 dashes of lemon bitters into the shaker.
- Add Syrups: Add ⅓ oz ginger syrup and ⅓ oz honey syrup.
- Add Rosemary: Drop 1 fresh rosemary sprig into the shaker.
- Muddle: Using the muddler, muddle the rosemary sprig well to release its aroma.
- Add Lemon Juice: Add ¾ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Chartreuse: Measure and pour ½ oz Yellow Chartreuse into the shaker as well.
- Add Bourbon: Finally, add 1½ oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Discard the ice in the Old Fashioned glass and refill it with fresh, new ice cubes. Then, use both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer to strain the drink into the ice-filled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a rosemary sprig (you can slightly burn it before for a smoky & herbal scent) and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, try using rye whiskey for a spicier kick or even a smooth dark rum for a different twist.
- Yellow Chartreuse: I've used green Chartreuse when I wanted a more herbal flavor, (though it's stronger, so adjust to taste).
- Ginger Syrup: You can make your own by simmering equal parts sugar and water with fresh ginger slices until dissolved, then strain.
- Honey Syrup: Mix 2 parts honey into 1 part warm water until combined if you don't have pre-made syrup. For a vegan alternative, use agave syrup: it has a similar consistency and it pairs well with herbal flavors.
Making a Pitcher of Honey Badger:
- Scale: To serve 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. That would be —12 oz of bourbon, 6 oz of fresh lemon juice, 4 oz of Yellow Chartreuse, 2 ½ oz of honey syrup, 2 ½ oz of ginger syrup, 16 dashes of lemon bitters and 8 small fresh sprigs of rosemary.
- Prep: Start by roughly chopping the rosemary sprig. Drop them into a large pitcher, add the lemon bitters, ginger syrup and honey syrup and muddle well.
- Mix: Add the fresh lemon juice, yellow Chartreuse, Bourbon and stir well to combine. Let the mix rest for 15 minutes for the flavors to infuse. Later, add ice cubes and stir well to chill and dilute.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice and the rosemary sprigs (use preferably a fine mesh strainer). Serve immediately into rocks glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish each glass with an extra rosemary sprig. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Vegan:
- Honey Syrup Substitute: Replace honey syrup with agave nectar or maple syrup to keep it vegan-friendly without losing sweetness.
What is a Honey Badger?
The Honey Badger is a twist on the Penicillin cocktail. It’s made of Bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, Ginger Syrup, Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice, Lemon Bitters & fresh rosemary. It’s easy to make because it requires simple mixing and shaking techniques that even beginners can handle, and the addition of a rosemary sprig as a garnish adds an aromatic touch that enhances the drinking experience.
What is a Honey Badger made of – The ingredients
Use these ingredients to create a Honey Badger:
- Bourbon: Delivers a rich, smooth foundation with notes of vanilla and oak.
- Yellow Chartreuse: Contributes herbal complexity and a touch of sweetness.
- Ginger Syrup: Adds a spicy warmth that complements the bourbon.
- Honey Syrup: Sweetens the drink with a natural, floral flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a bright, citrusy acidity to balance the sweetness.
- Lemon Bitters: Enhances the citrus elements and adds aromatic depth.
- Rosemary Sprig: Offers an aromatic garnish as well as some fresh & herbal notes.
