This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
The Gold Rush cocktail is tangy, refreshing and classy: a spin on the whiskey sour using honey! This modern classic has a retro feel.
Here’s a classy cocktail has a retro name and a sweet tart flavor: the Gold Rush! The name makes it sounds like a 1920’s mixed drink, but it’s actually a modern take on the classic whiskey sour.
If you’re a lover of bourbon drinks, add this one to your “to do” list. The combination of the zing of the lemon, the nuance of the honey, and the spicy whiskey finish is perfection. As two cocktail experts and certified mixologists, this is one of our favorite modern classic cocktails because it’s just so fun and refreshing.
Ingredients in a Gold Rush cocktail
The Gold Rush is not a classic cocktail as the name would imply. This spin on the whiskey sour using honey syrup instead of simple syrup was invented in the mid-2000’s. Bartender T. J. Siegal created it for the Milk & Honey bar in New York City (where the Paper Plane was also invented).
The honey gives this cocktail a depth and richness that simple syrup lacks. The Gold Rush cocktail is made with:
- Bourbon whiskey
- Lemon juice
- Honey syrup
How to make honey syrup
Honey syrup is simple syrup made with honey instead of granulated sugar. It’s seriously easy to whip up a batch: and it adds a rich depth to cocktails of any kind. Here’s what to do:
- Add equal parts honey and water to saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Stir until the honey is dissolved (don’t bring to simmer!), about 1 to 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature before using. Keeps in the refrigerator for 1 month.
A few more cocktails that use honey syrup? The Bees Knees, Brown Derby, and Penicillin.
How to make a Gold Rush cocktail
Once you’ve made the honey syrup, the rest of the Gold Rush cocktail is a breeze! All you’ll need is a cocktail shaker: no other fancy tools required! Here are the basic steps (or jump right to the recipe):
- Shake: Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and then shake until very cold.
- Strain: Strain the drink into a lowball glass.
- Garnish: Add ice and a lemon wedge.
Best bourbon for a Gold Rush
You’ll want to use a great bourbon for the Gold Rush! It’s not quite as whiskey-forward as the Old Fashioned or Mint Julep. But with only lemon and honey to balance, the bourbon needs to hold its own.
Our rule of thumb is: buy good liquor to make a good drink! Opt for a bourbon that is mid-priced: that’s typically a general indicator of quality. The bourbon we used was Bulleit Bourbon. We also like to use locally distilled spirits when we can find them.
Gold Rush Cocktail
The Gold Rush cocktail is tangy, refreshing and classy: a spin on the whiskey sour using honey! This modern classic has a retro feel.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) honey syrup
- For the garnish: lemon wedge
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill with a handful of ice and shake until very cold.
- Strain the drink into a lowball or Old Fashioned glass. Serve with ice and a lemon wedge.
More sour cocktails
Sour cocktails are a family of cocktails that combine liquor, citrus, and sweetener. There are so many variations; here are some favorites:
- The New York Sour is a classic whiskey sour and float a layer of red wine on top.
- The Tequila Sour, Vodka Sour or Gin Sour are 1920s sours that mix lemon, liquor and an egg white foam.
- The Sidecar is the perfect balance of Cognac, Cointreau and lemon; one of the most classic sur cocktails of all time.
- The popular Margarita is a sour cocktail that’s spin on the Sidecar.
- The Daiquiri is a sour made of rum, lime juice, and sweetener.
- The Tom Collins is also a gin sour—light and bubbly with soda water.
I’m looking for a good tasting drink using crown royal that’s easy to make