Modern Classic: The Gold Rush

Here's an easy cocktail you can throw together that requires just three ingredients, one of which you can make on the fly. The Gold Rush is essentially a whiskey sour made with honey syrup rather than simple, typically with no egg whites. It was created for NYC's influential Milk and Honey by T.J. Siegal and has become a common off-menu order amongst cocktail enthusiasts. Simple and delicious!

The Gold Rush 

2 oz bourbon (90 or 100 proof preferred)

.75 oz fresh lemon juice

.75 oz honey syrup* (1:1), or .5 oz if using 2:1

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain onto fresh ice in a tumbler/rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel. 

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Honey Syrup

You can make it as you prep your cocktail, and you don't have to make much of it either. I often just mix mine on the spot as I'm getting my other cocktail ingredients together. You can either use a hot water kettle or microwave some hot water, then add your honey to it and stir until dissolved. For a tiny batch just measure out by the tablespoon. If you want to make a large batch, use a small sauce pan. 

If you make a 1:1 syrup, you can use the "standard" equal parts sweet and sour in the cocktail. If you're making your syrup 2:1 (honey to water) then you should use .5 oz of syrup in your recipe. As always, you can adjust for personal taste.