The Prospector

The Prospector is a beautifully balanced modern cocktail that takes the simple perfection of a Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, honey) and adds a complex herbal dimension with Yellow Chartreuse. The switch from lemon to lime juice gives it a sharper, brighter edge that cuts through the whiskey and honey. It's a complex yet approachable drink, showcasing how a single ingredient can transform a familiar template into something new and exciting.
The Prospector

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Prospector is a modern classic cocktail, typically categorized as a whiskey sour variation due to its base spirit, citrus, and sweetener formula.

Serving

Served chilled and straight up in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a spirit-forward but balanced cocktail with a significant alcohol content.
Serving size
Approx. 120 ml / 4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approx. 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Erick Castro at Polite Provisions in San Diego, The Prospector is a clever riff on the Gold Rush cocktail. By swapping lemon for lime and adding Yellow Chartreuse, Castro created a drink with greater depth and herbal complexity. Its name pays homage to its Gold Rush ancestor, continuing the theme of seeking fortune.
Origin
USA, San Diego. Created in the early 2010s by Erick Castro.

The Prospector

The drink is consistently known as The Prospector, a name that evokes the Gold Rush era, fitting for a cocktail that is a riff on the Gold Rush cocktail itself.
Original name
The Prospector
Alternative name
Prospector Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a delightful balance of sweet honey and sour lime, with a pronounced herbal character and a warming whiskey backbone. It has a smooth texture and a long, complex finish.
Flavor
Herbal, Honey, Citrusy, Oak, Vanilla
Aroma
Herbal, Lime Zest, Honey, Whiskey
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour, Herbal
Aftertaste
Warming, Long, Complex, Herbal
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale Gold, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a harmonious balance between sweetness, sourness, and alcohol strength, complemented by a distinct herbal complexity.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a bourbon whiskey base, the herbal liqueur Yellow Chartreuse, fresh lime juice for acidity, and rich honey syrup for sweetness.
  • Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality, mid-proof bourbon works well.
  • Yellow Chartreuse22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Essential for the drink's herbal profile.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed is a must.
  • Honey Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Use a 2:1 honey-to-water ratio for a rich syrup.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger for measuring, and both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer for a clean pour.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker.
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining.

Instructions

The preparation involves shaking all ingredients with ice, then double straining the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed lime twist.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, fresh lime juice, and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer.
7. Take a lime peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink, and drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lime twist is the perfect garnish; express its oils over the surface of the drink to enhance the aroma before dropping it in.
  • Lime twist, expressed over the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegetarian but not vegan due to the use of honey. It contains alcohol and may contain traces of gluten from the bourbon.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink contains a moderate amount of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily from the honey syrup and Chartreuse liqueur.
Calories
Averagely 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour, a relaxed social gathering, or as a flavorful after-dinner digestif.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Social Gathering
  • After Dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Prospector's complex profile pairs well with savory and rich foods. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board, sharp cheeses like aged cheddar, or spiced roasted nuts.
  • Sharp cheeses
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Spiced nuts

Unearthing the Flavor of The Prospector

The Prospector is a masterful modern classic that brilliantly builds upon the Gold Rush cocktail. By incorporating Yellow Chartreuse and lime juice, it achieves a unique identity that is both herbal and refreshingly tart. Its balance of bourbon's warmth, Chartreuse's complexity, honey's sweetness, and lime's sharpness makes it a memorable and sophisticated sour. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy whiskey sours but are looking for a more intricate flavor experience.

Similar Cocktails

Gold Rush

Uses lemon juice instead of lime and omits the Yellow Chartreuse.

Bee's Knees

A gin-based cocktail using lemon juice and honey syrup.

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