Gold Rush
The Gold Rush is a simple yet elegant bourbon sour that has quickly become a staple in modern mixology. Its three-ingredient structure—bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup—creates a harmonious blend of flavors. The honey syrup provides a richer, more complex sweetness than simple syrup, beautifully complementing the vanilla and oak notes of the bourbon. It's a sophisticated, spirit-forward drink that is both refreshing and comforting.
Preparation
Preparation time: 4 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Gold Rush is a modern classic cocktail that gained popularity in the early 21st century. It belongs to the "sours" family of drinks, characterized by a base spirit, a citrus element, and a sweetener. It is served straight up, making it a sophisticated yet accessible choice.
Serving
This drink is typically served "up" (chilled, without ice) in a chilled coupe glass, though serving it on the rocks in an Old Fashioned glass is also popular. Its alcohol content is moderately high, typical for a spirit-forward sour.
Serving size
Approximately 100-120 ml / 3.5-4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The Gold Rush was created in the early 2000s by bartender T.J. Siegal at the legendary New York City bar, Milk & Honey. The bar, founded by Sasha Petraske, was a pioneer of the modern craft cocktail movement. Siegal's creation was an instant hit, celebrated for its perfect balance and simple construction, and it quickly spread to cocktail bars around the world.
Origin
Created by T.J. Siegal at Milk & Honey, New York City, USA, in the early 2000s.
Gold Rush
The drink's original name is simply the Gold Rush. It is sometimes referred to as a "Bourbon Bee's Knees" because it substitutes bourbon for the gin in that classic cocktail. Another descriptive name is "Honey Whiskey Sour," which accurately describes its core components.
Original name
Gold Rush
Alternative names
- Bourbon Bee's Knees
- Honey Whiskey Sour
Characteristics overview
The Gold Rush presents a beautiful golden hue with a silky texture, balancing sweet honey and tangy lemon flavors against a warm bourbon backdrop. Its aroma is a pleasant mix of citrus and whiskey, leading to a clean, warming aftertaste that makes it a refreshing yet substantial drink for any season.
Flavor
Sweet, Sour, Bourbon, Honey, Citrus, Oak, Vanilla
Aroma
Lemon zest, Honey, Whiskey, Floral
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Warming, Clean, Lingering honey
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Golden, Hazy, Translucent
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Full-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, led by a pronounced sourness from the lemon that is well-balanced by the sweetness of honey. The alcohol strength is present but not overpowering, with subtle spice and fruit notes from the bourbon rounding out the profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You will need three key ingredients: a quality bourbon whiskey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey syrup. The honey syrup is easily made at home by dissolving honey in hot water.
- Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 ozA mid-proof bourbon (around 90-100 proof) works well to stand up to the other ingredients.
- Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Honey Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 ozTo make, combine 2 parts honey with 1 part hot water and stir until fully dissolved. Let cool before use.
Ice type
- Cubed for shaking. Optional large cube for serving.
Mixing equipments
The essential equipment includes a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the drink, a jigger for measurement, and a strainer. A citrus juicer is also highly recommended for preparing the fresh lemon juice.
- Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting the ingredients.
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
- Fine-mesh strainer to ensure a smooth texture.
- Citrus juicer for fresh lemon juice.
Instructions
To make a Gold Rush, combine bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup in an ice-filled shaker. Shake until well-chilled, then double-strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
1. If serving up, chill your coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Prepare the honey syrup if you haven't already by mixing two parts honey with one part hot water until dissolved. Let it cool.
3. Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into your chilled coupe glass (or into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube).
6. Garnish with a lemon twist by expressing the peel over the drink's surface to release its aromatic oils.
Garnishing
A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish for a Gold Rush. Expressing the oils from the peel over the surface of the drink before garnishing adds a fragrant citrus aroma.
- Lemon twist or wedge, expressed over the drink to release oils and placed on the rim or in the glass.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. However, it is not considered vegan due to the use of honey, an animal byproduct.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This drink is moderately caloric, with most calories coming from the bourbon and the sugar in the honey syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively high due to the honey.
Calories
Approximately 230-270 kcal / 960-1130 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 18-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 17-19 g
Sugar level
Occasions
The Gold Rush is a versatile cocktail suitable for almost any occasion, from a casual happy hour to a more formal pre-dinner aperitif. Its warming bourbon base makes it enjoyable in cooler months, while its refreshing citrus notes are perfect for summer evenings.
- Cocktail Hour
- Happy Hour
- Pre-dinner Drink
- Year-round Sipping
Pairing suggestions
The Gold Rush pairs wonderfully with savory and slightly fatty foods that can stand up to its bold flavors. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board, sharp cheeses, or spiced nuts. The cocktail's acidity cuts through richness, making it a good companion for grilled meats as well.
- Sharp cheeses like aged cheddar
- Charcuterie boards
- Spiced nuts
- Grilled chicken or pork
The Gold Rush: A Modern Classic's Perfect Balance
The Gold Rush is a testament to the elegance of simplicity in cocktail making. Created in the early 2000s, it quickly achieved modern classic status due to its impeccable balance and reliance on just three high-quality ingredients. It's essentially a Whiskey Sour that swaps simple syrup for a richer, more floral honey syrup, creating a deeper and more complex flavor profile. This drink is both accessible for newcomers to whiskey cocktails and appreciated by seasoned connoisseurs for its perfect harmony of sweet, sour, and spirit.
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