This Gold Rush Cocktail combines the mellow bourbon, the sweetness of honey, and the zesty notes of orange juice to create a modern-day classic that’s sure to strike gold with your taste buds.
The Gold Rush Cocktail is a fun twist on the Bee’s Knees Cocktail and Whiskey Sour. However, unlike the classic Bee’s Knees Cocktail, the Gold Rush Cocktail uses Groupon instead of gin as the alcohol base.
And unlike the Whiskey Sour, this classic cocktail doesn’t contain any egg whites and is made with honey simple syrup instead of regular simple syrup. To top things off, we also added some Angostura bitters, orange juice, and rosemary sprigs to craft a perfectly balanced drink for any occasion.
If you love bourbon cocktails, you’ll love our Mint Julep, Smoked Old Fashioned, or Grilled Peach Bourbon Cocktail!
What Is This Gold Rush Cocktail Recipe
After a long shift, T.J. Siegal traveled to a bar his childhood friend Sasha Petraske owned called Milk and Honey in New York City in the early 2000s. He requested his usual classic whiskey sour but asked that the drink be made with rich honey syrup instead of simple syrup. It was right then and there that the Gold Rush Cocktail was born. Quickly becoming the “bartender’s choice,” the Gold Rush Cocktail is still one of the most popular cocktails today.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This honey cocktail is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, making it the perfect after-work drink when you just want to wind down for the night. If you’re looking for the perfect drink to take your basic cocktail recipes to the next level, you have to dry this delicious Gold Rush Cocktail!
Ingredients
- Bourbon – use your favorite bourbon whiskey.
- Honey (adjust to taste)
- Orange juice
- Rosemary sprigs
- Angostura bitters
- Ice
How to Make This Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients for the cocktail and shake for 30 seconds. Then, strain the cocktail into an ice-filled glass and garnish with extra rosemary sprigs and depredated orange slices.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Homemade Honey Syrup: Make your own homemade honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the honey dissolves.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of honey according to your preference for sweetness. You can start with 3 teaspoons and add more if desired.
- Rosemary Flavor: Gently crush or muddle one of the rosemary sprigs before adding it to the shaker. This helps release the aromatic oils and enhances the rosemary flavor.
- Shaking Technique: When shaking the cocktail, use a firm but controlled motion. Shaking for about 30 seconds helps chill the ingredients and properly mix the flavors.
- Straining: Use a cocktail strainer to pour the mixture into a glass without any ice or herbs from the shaker.
- Garnish: Garnish the cocktail with a fresh rosemary sprig and a dehydrated orange slice. This adds visual appeal and an extra layer of aroma. You can also use a lemon wedge or lemon wheel as a garnish for even more fresh citrus notes.
- Glassware: Serve the cocktail in a rocks glass or a lowball glass. These types of glasses work well for drinks served over ice.
- Ice: Consider using a large ice cube or ice sphere for slower dilution and less watering down of the cocktail.
- Presentation: The rosemary sprig and dehydrated orange slice not only enhance the cocktail’s appearance but also contribute to the overall sensory experience.
- Bitters: The Angostura bitters add depth and complexity to the cocktail. Adjust the number of dashes to your taste preference.
- Experimentation: Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to find your perfect balance of flavors. You might want to try different types of honey, bourbon brands, or even add a splash of citrus or soda water for a slightly different twist.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can pre-mix the cocktail ingredients in a larger batch and chill them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mixture over ice, garnish, and enjoy!
Yes! To make a non-alcoholic version, simply replace the bourbon with a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative or omit it altogether for a delicious honey-orange mocktail.
If you don’t have Angostura bitters, you can experiment with other aromatic bitters, like orange or cherry bitters, to add depth and complexity to your cocktail. Or, you can leave them out if you prefer!
Store any leftover honey syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
The combination of honey, bourbon, and orange juice makes this Gold Rush drink stand the test of time. There’s no need to travel to the Milk and Honey bar when you have this modern classic recipe in your mixology arsenal. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and let us know if you liked it!
Bourbon Honey Rosemary Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3 tsp honey or more if desired
- 2 oz orange juice
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add all the ingredients for the cocktail and shake for 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass and garnish with extra rosemary sprigs and depredated orange slices.
Notes
- Bourbon Choice: Select a bourbon that you enjoy, as it will significantly influence the flavor of the cocktail. A smooth and well-balanced bourbon works best for this recipe.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of honey according to your preference for
sweetness. You can start with 3 teaspoons and add more if desired. - Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is ideal for the freshest flavor, but you can also use store-bought orange juice if needed.
- Rosemary Flavor: Gently crush or muddle one of the rosemary sprigs before adding it to the shaker. This helps release the aromatic oils and enhances the rosemary flavor.
- Shaking Technique: When shaking the cocktail, use a firm but controlled motion. Shaking for about 30 seconds helps chill the ingredients and properly mix the flavors.
- Straining: Use a cocktail strainer to pour the mixture into a glass without any ice or herbs from the shaker.
- Garnish: Garnish the cocktail with a fresh rosemary sprig and a dehydrated orange slice. This adds visual appeal and an extra layer of aroma.
- Glassware: Serve the cocktail in a rocks glass or a lowball glass. These types of glasses work well for drinks served over ice.
- Ice: Consider using a large ice cube or ice sphere for slower dilution and less watering down of the cocktail.
- Presentation: The rosemary sprig and dehydrated orange slice not only enhance the cocktail’s appearance but also contribute to the overall sensory experience.
- Bitters: The Angostura bitters add depth and complexity to the cocktail. Adjust the number of dashes to your taste preference.
- Experimentation: Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to find your perfect balance of flavors. You might want to try different types of honey, bourbon brands, or even add a splash of citrus or soda water for a slightly different twist.
- Batch Preparation: You can easily scale up the recipe and make multiple servings for a gathering. Just multiply the ingredients accordingly and mix them in a larger shaker or pitcher.
