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!

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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 Sour • Blood Orange Whiskey Sour • Aero Whiskey Sour

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.

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!

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.

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:


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


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


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!

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
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.
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!

More whiskey cocktails
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Gold Rush Cocktail
ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce honey syrup see note
- 1 piece lemon zest for garnish
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
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