Gold Rush Cocktail

Simple and elegant, the delicious classic Gold Rush cocktail will be your new party favorite. This gorgeous golden drink not only taste wonderful but looks like a star too!

A clear cocktail with ice, garnished with a lemon peel, served in a glass with a gold polka dot pattern. A metal jigger and another drink are in the background.

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About this Gold Rush Cocktail

This sophisticated little number is so much fun and absolutely delicious! If you need an easy cocktail that has a lovely smooth flavor, then you’ve got to try this gold rush cocktail.

It’s a close relative to my honey lemon whiskey sour recipe, but just doesn’t have egg whites. But both have that gorgeous golden color! I love making this lemony drink during the summertime, but it’s really great all year long.

The unique flavor of bourbon whiskey is key to the flavor of this cocktail and adds so much warmth and depth. Mix that with a sweet honey syrup and the tart bite of lemon juice and you’ve got a truly irresistible combo. It’s like a hot toddy but for summer.

Pair this cocktail with a charcuterie board and you’ve got the best way to unwind on a Friday night. It comes together in just minutes and always turns out so tasty! Enjoy!

More whiskey sour recipes: Blackberry Peach Whiskey SourBlood Orange Whiskey SourAero Whiskey Sour

Two glasses of a light yellow beverage garnished with lemon wedges on a white surface, next to a whole lemon, a lemon slice, and a honeycomb-patterned jar.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This crowd-pleasing cocktail is so easy to love. Not only does it taste amazing but it’s really easy to make:

  • I personally love this recipe because it only requires three ingredients. If you’ve had a long week and want to just throw a drink together quickly, then this is just the cocktail for you.
  • The gorgeous golden color of this cocktail is perfect for the aesthetic appeal of parties. It’s just so pretty!
  • Enjoy the gold rush year-round. While it’s citrusy, the warmth of the bourbon whiskey makes this a great drinks 375 days of the year.

What is a Gold Rush cocktail?

The Gold Rush cocktail is a modern classic in the whiskey sour family. However, unlike other whiskey sours, this cocktail does not contain egg whites. This refreshing drink combines tart lemon with syrupy sweet honey and the warmth of bourbon whiskey to make a perfectly balanced sipper.

The gold rush cocktail is elegant and classy, yet extremely simple to make. It is perfect for parties or simply as something to sip on during the hot summer days.

Two glasses of a light amber drink with large ice cubes and a twist of lemon peel. The glasses have a dotted pattern, and a slice of lemon is on a white surface nearby.

History of the Gold Rush Cocktail

The Gold Rush is a relatively new cocktail with origins dating back to the early 2000s. It was first created by bartender Sam Ross in the famous New York bar, Milk & Honey founded by Sasha Petraske. Fun fact: This is the same bartender who created the famous Penicillin cocktail.

While it is similar to the whiskey sour cocktail, the Gold Rush uses honey syrup instead of simple syrup and does not contain egg whites.

Tools & glassware 

You only need a few basic tools to make this quick drink. Make sure you have a cocktail shaker on hand as a as a jigger to measure out all ingredients. Don’t forget the ice and the rocks glasses for serving.

If you’d like to make a lemon zest garnish, then make sure you have a zester on hand as well.

If you are making your own honey simple syrup then you will also need a small saucepan, measuring cups and a spoon or spatula. You will likely have leftover syrup so make sure you have an airtight container to store it, too!

Close-up of two patterned glasses filled with a light brown drink, ice cubes, and garnished with a twist of orange peel on the rim.

Ingredients

You don’t need many ingredients in your home bar to make this classic cocktail. With just 3 ingredients and a simple garnish, you can make a gold rush cocktail in just a few minutes:

  • bourbon whiskey: This is a very specific type of whiskey that is made in America. If you don’t have bourbon whiskey you can substitute it for Tennessee whiskey or any other favorite that you have in your home bar.
  • fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is way better than that bottled stuff from the grocery store. I highly recommend juicing your own lemons for the best flavor.
  • honey syrup: Make a quick honey simple syrup by combining equal parts honey and water. You can use another simple syrup if you like, but honey syrup is the most classic option.
  • lemon zest: This is optional, but can be used as a simple garnish. Feel free to open it or swap it our for a different garnish.

Garnishes

While I love lemon zest as a garnish for this cocktail, there are a few other great options. You could use a dehydrated lemon slice or even candied lemon. Feel free to play around with flavor and try it with orange, lime or grapefruit if you want to experiment.

Add a little variation of flavor with some candied ginger or a sprig or two of rosemary. Fresh mint sprigs would also be great.

A cocktail in a glass with a gold dot pattern, garnished with a lemon peel, and another similar drink in the background alongside a bottle with a honeycomb pattern.

Best whiskey for a Gold Rush Cocktail

There’s no question that bourbon whiskey is the number one option for this cocktail. My favorites at the moment are Old Forester, Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark. We also like Blanton’s and Angel’s Envy for a more top-shelf option.

However, you can use rye whiskey, Irish whiskey or your favorite Tennessee whiskey too. Just use what you love! If you still need help deciding, then check out my whiskey 101 post for all the best tips.

Instructions

Ready to look like a pro in your home bar? Then let’s get started with this easy step-by-step guide:

A hand pours liquid from a small metal cup into a tall, clear glass with gold polka dots on a white background.
A hand pours milk from a small metallic cup into an iced tea inside a glass with gold polka dots.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and then add your bourdon whiskey, lemon juice, and fresh honey simple syrup.

A hand pours liquid from a small metal cup into a tall, polka-dotted glass filled with ice.
Hand holding a gold cocktail shaker with a dotted design, containing a mixed drink and ice.

Shake the mixture well until chilled and thoroughly combined. Strain into a rocks glass, and any desired garnishes, and serve immediately.

A hand pours a drink from a gold cocktail shaker into a glass with gold polka dots, with ice cubes inside the glass.
A hand holds an orange peel above a glass of an iced drink. The glass has a gold polka dot pattern.

Tips & tricks

Check out these few tips to ensure success with this delicious classic cocktail:

  • Make sure to strain your fresh lemon juice to ensure your cocktail is smooth. And trust me, don’t use bottled lemon juice for this recipe!
  • Wait to make your Gold Rush cocktail until just before serving. Keep it ice cold for the best flavor.
  • Shake the mixture vigorously in the cocktail shaker to ensure the syrup combines well with the whiskey and lemon juice. You’ll also want to ensure that the drink is cold enough!
Overhead view of a clear glass with a decorative ice cube and a lemon slice. Another similar glass and a honey jar are nearby.

Food Pairings

Pair this classic cocktail with delicious foods like marinated cheese or a fancy cheese board. This is a great dinner cocktail too — just pair it with meals like marinated pork tenderloin or air fryer chicken wings.

You can also serve the gold rush with desserts! I love to pair it with lemony creations like lemon bars or lemon pound cake.

FAQ

Can I make the gold rush cocktail in a pitcher?

If you need to make more than one servings, you can bulk mix this yummy cocktail. Just use about 16 ounces bourbon whiskey, and 8 ounces each of lemon juice and honey syrup. Then stir well and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until ready to serve.

Why is it called the gold rush cocktail?

While the name definitely gives a nod to the mid-19th century Gold Rush, it also is derived from the drink’s golden color. The combo of honey, bourbon whiskey and lemon juice creates the most rich golden flavor — hence gold rush!

Three glasses with a honeycomb pattern contain different drinks, one of which has ice cubes. Each drink is garnished with a citrus peel. A lemon slice is visible in the foreground.

More whiskey cocktails

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A clear cocktail with ice, garnished with a lemon peel, served in a glass with a gold polka dot pattern. A metal jigger and another drink are in the background.

Gold Rush Cocktail

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Make a classic gold rush cocktail with just three simple ingredients. This easy drink is perfect all year round!
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ingredients

instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add bourbon whiskey, lemon juice and honey syrup. Shake well.
  • Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a piece of lemon zest.

notes

Notes: You can make honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and warm water. Hot tap water is fine or you can microwave it. Stir until combined, then use in a drink recipe.

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nutrition information

Yield: 1 drink

amount per serving:

Serving: 4ounces Calories: 216kcal Carbohydrates: 24g Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.01g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g Sodium: 18mg Potassium: 58mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 22g Vitamin A: 5IU Vitamin C: 19mg Calcium: 13mg Iron: 1mg
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