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The Gold Rush cocktail is a simple classic made with whiskey, honey syrup (water and honey), and fresh lemon juice. It’s a refreshing and citrusy cocktail that’s a spin on the classic Whiskey Sour. Although similar concepts, the Gold Rush feels like an entirely different cocktail thanks to the complex floral flavors in honey.
I was recently craving a Bee’s Knees and to my surprise, l was all out of gin. Craving somethign sweet and citrusy with honey and lemon, I ended up settling on the Gold Rush, a near-identical whiskey spin on the Bee’s Knees.
Table of Contents
Brief History
The Gold Rush cocktail is a modern-day classic (just like the Paper Plane) that emerged in the early 2000s at the historic Milk & Honey in New York City. The story has it that bartender T.J. Siegal requested his regular whiskey sour, while actually a patron and not working behind the bar, but opted for honey syrup instead of simple syrup. The cocktail was born.
Looking for similar cocktails? The Gold Rush also has a similar vibe to the Whiskey Sour, Hot Toddy, and Brown Derby.
Ingredients
- Bourbon: Elijah Craig is my preferred bourbon for most bourbon cocktails, however, a high-proof bourbon such as Old Forester 100 makes this a little more spirit forward so you can still taste the bourbon.
- Fresh lemon juice: always opt for fresh citrus for best results. A citrus squeezer makes this a really simple task. In a pinch, use ReaLemon.
- Honey syrup: honey syrup is simple syrup made with equal parts of honey and water. It’s easier to make than simple syrup as the honey will more easily dissolve in warm water, unlike sugar
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Serving Variations
Traditionally the gold rush is served on the rocks with a giant ice cube and lemon peel. I’ve played around with serving in a chilled coupe (no ice) and have liked both. Like the Whiskey Sour, it’s a well-balanced cocktail that doesn’t need to steep in ice.
Expert Tips
- For expressing the lemon peel, point the outer peel (non-pith side) outward facing the drink and gently squeeze the edges so the oils spray out over the top of the drink. If done properly, you can see an oily film floating on the surface of your cocktail. It’s easiest done with two hands.
- Use a Y-peeler for making citrus peels. This is the easiest way to get a thin peel with minimal pith.
- Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.
- Use a clear ice tray to easily make crystal clear ice at home with little effort.
Similar Cocktails
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Gold Rush Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon, I prefer 95-100 proof bourbon
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce honey syrup
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake and double strain into a chilled double-old fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
