Cool down with this refreshing Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail made with only four ingredients and completed with a rich and delicious homemade honey ginger syrup.
The most delicious gold rush drink
There's nothing better than a made-at-home cocktail that tastes just as good as something you'd get in a luxury bar setting. The truth is, there's no secret ingredient that makes drinks better at restaurants or bars — it just comes down to proper measurements (and maybe a bit of honey ginger syrup!).
This gold rush bourbon cocktail is a refreshing drink made with only four ingredients. We'll be making a delicious homemade honey ginger syrup to elevate the flavor and make the beverage complete!
Ingredients in the gold rush bourbon cocktail
- Bourbon: First up, you will need 5 oz of bourbon. This will create two drinks.
- Lemon juice: Then, 2 oz of fresh lemon juice will be used to add a nice zing.
- Honey ginger syrup: To add flavor to the drink, use 2 oz of honey ginger syrup. This is made with ½ cup of honey, ½ cup of water, and 2 inches of peeled and chopped ginger. See step 1 of the directions for a complete breakdown.
- Garnishes: Use a lemon wedge and luxardo cherry to garnish!
Tools needed to make this recipe
To create your at-home gold rush cocktail beverage, you will need a sauce pot and stirring utensil to make the honey syrup, followed by a cocktail shaker. For best practices, use 1 oz and ½ cup sized measuring cups for accurate ingredient measurements.
How to make this gold rush cocktail recipe
Creating this beverage couldn't be easier. We'll start with the honey, then we'll simply add everything to the shaker, give it a shake, and ta da!
To begin, create a honey syrup by bringing ½ cup of honey, ½ cup of water, and 2 inches of peeled and chopped ginger to a boil. Let boil over medium heat, stirring consistently, for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Then, drain and pour into a jar to cool.
Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, lemon juice and syrup, and shake it up!
Pour the shaken mixture into two glasses filled with ice. Top with a lemon and cherry, and enjoy!
Can I use any type of whiskey?
You can! Though a gold rush is traditionally made with bourbon, any type of whiskey will work just fine in this recipe.
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Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
Method
- Make honey syrup by bringing ½ cup honey, ½ cup water, and 2 inches of peeled and chopped ginger to a boil. Let boil over medium heat, stirring consistently, for 10 minutes. Turn heat off and let steep for 20 minutes. Drain and pour into jar to cool.
- In a cocktail shaker, fill with ice. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup. Shake it up!
- Pour into two glasses filled with ice. Top with lemon and cherry.
- Enjoy!
Beata says
Perfect recipe. The bite of ginger really made it special. This is my new go to!
Erin says
Hi Beata, so happy you loved it! Cheers!
Colleen says
If I plan on refrigerating the honey ginger syrup until this weekend's cocktail party, should I strain the ginger out immediately or leave it in until then?
Ginger is a favorite with my cocktail group and I'm betting this will be a hit!
Erin says
Hi Colleen, honestly either will work. I'd just strain it now! Let me know how they come out! Cheers!
Marcella says
My mom made this for Thanksgiving! It was gone in minutes, everyone went back for more!!
Erin says
Hi Marcella, so happy they were a hit! Cheers!
Marcella says
My mom made this for Thanksgiving! It was gone in minutes!! Everyone went back for more, it was great!
Erin says
Hi Marcella, so glad they were a hit! Cheers!
Katelyn says
We made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! I had to rush to make more syrup! My boyfriend was skeptical when I listed out the ingredients but he loves whiskey. He loved it the most. Thanks Erin! I’ll be making this all throughout the holidays.
Erin says
Hi Katelyn, so glad everyone loved them! Cheers! 🙂
Linda says
Easy to make and tastes very good
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you enjoyed it! Cheers!!
Paula says
How long does the syrup last?
Erin says
Hi Paula, it'll last up to two weeks in the fridge. Let me know how your cocktail comes out! Cheers!
Lizzie says
This looks fabulous, but alas, honey and I don't mix well. But I do applaud your choice of bourbon -- Woodford Reserve is the best of the best -- and we don't even live in Kentucky!
Erin says
Hi Lizzie, thanks and feel free to omit the honey and use maple syrup!