A gold rush cocktail is the bourbon lovers perfect summer drink! Made with 3-ingredients, this easy and refreshing drink is sure to prove that vodka and gin aren’t the only summertime spirits.
In our 15 year journey of home bartending, my husband I and initially leaned hard on vodka and gin drinks for summer sipping. But with us both being more partial to bourbon and whiskey, we found that this bright and fun bourbon cocktail proves this thought wrong! Made with bourbon, honey simple syrup, and lemon juice, this drink couldn’t be easier. We’ve detailed which bourbons work best in this recipe, and outlined easy to follow steps for easy mixing on your end!
Although this drink has that pre-prohibition era feel, it’s creation is actually credited to New York City’s Milk & Honey bar in the mid-2000s. The Gold Rush is a modern take on a classic whiskey sour, replacing the standard sugar simple syrup with honey simple syrup. Doing this also happens to create a refined sugar free cocktail, which is great for those trying to avoid refined sugars.
And if you love this drink for summer sipping, be sure to try our hot toddy recipe in the fall and winter (it’s got the same vibe, but warm and cozy).
Why You’ll Love a Gold Rush Cocktail
Level of difficulty: This is an easy cocktail to make. You do have the added step of making homemade honey simple syrup for this cocktail recipe, but that is an easy process as well.
Flavor: The lemon and honey compliment the boozy bourbon in this drink, creating a light, crisp, and refreshing cocktail.
Time: From start-to-finish, it will take you approximately 5 minutes to mix up your Gold Rush cocktail (this does not include the time to make the simple syrup).
Gold Rush Cocktail Ingredients
- Bourbon: Using a high quality bourbon is recommended for this cocktail recipe. As there are minimal ingredients, you want to select a bourbon you like as the flavor will shine through. My top recommendations would be: anything from J.Henry & Sons, Makers Mark Cask Strength, and Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. If you have a local distillery near you that makes bourbon, give them a try too!
- Honey Simple Syrup: Homemade honey simple syrup is key to this drink. It adds that lovely honey flavor without any grainy sugar in your cocktail.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon is ideal for this cocktail, so make sure to have a lemon on hand. You can garnish your drink with a lemon wedge or lemon twist for a little extra pizazz too.
Cask Strength Bourbon vs. Regular Bourbon
There are different types of bourbon available for purchase, so you may see a bottle labeled ‘cask strength’ or ‘barrel proof’. Cask strength bourbon is taken directly from the barrel to the bottling line, whereas a standard bourbon will have some water added in order to get it to the appropriate taste or ABV the distiller is looking for to sell it. To get to the point, cask strength or barrel proof whiskey is stronger. It’s often touted as having a deeper flavor profile.
How to Make a Gold Rush Cocktail
Place lemon juice, honey simple syrup, and bourbon in a cocktail shaker (or mason jar!) with ice and shake vigorously to combine and cool.
Strain the drink into a low ball or old fashioned glass.
Option to garnish with a lemon wedge or lemon twist.
Sip and enjoy!
Gold Rush Cocktail Recipe FAQs
Since there are minimal ingredients in this cocktail, using a high-quality bourbon is important when making the Gold Rush cocktail. I outlined my three favorite varieties above, but honestly, the best bourbon for this summer bourbon drink recipe is a bourbon that you enjoy!
In a pinch, most whiskeys will serve as a good substitute. The name ‘bourbon’ is short for ‘Bourbon whiskey’, and there are other types of whisky too: Irish whiskey, Scotch whiskey (aka ‘Scotch’), rye whiskey, Japanese whiskey, etc. Any whiskey will likely be good in your Gold Rush, however, I would recommend avoiding smoked whiskeys (like Islay-variety Scotch) as the smoke flavor would likely overpower the honey and lemon.
Honey simple syrup is a delicious and versatile sweetener to have in your fridge! Great in cocktails, coffees (both warm and iced), and teas (both warm and iced).
Yes, I use a simple tool called a channel knife to make my citrus twists. It is an inexpensive and small piece of equipment that can really help you to up your garnish game!
Love this Bourbon Cocktail? Give these Cocktail Recipes a Try Too!
- Raspberry Bourbon Smash
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash
- Peach Bourbon Smash
- Chai Bourbon
- Brandy Old Fashioned
Bourbon Gold Rush Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ – 1 oz honey simple syrup
Instructions
- Place lemon juice, honey simple syrup, and bourbon in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously to combine and cool
- Strain the drink into a low ball or old fashioned glass
- Option to garnish with a lemon wedge or lemon twist
Charlie says
This one’s classic! One of the first restaurant-quality cocktails I ever learned to make at home. Great recipe.
Meredith says
So happy to hear you enjoy a good Gold Rush too – cheers!
M. says
This is such an easy and delicious bourbon drink- thanks!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
so glad you enjoyed it! cheers!
Aunt Martha says
Note to self: buy more bourbon!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
excellent note to self – a must for this great cocktail!