March 2025 – Gold Rush

Every now and then you look for a cocktail beyond the Old Fashioned, Negroni or Manhattan.  You want something simple yet different and something with a nice smooth feel and taste.  Look no further than the Gold Rush.  A simple three ingredient drink made with Bourbon, honey simple syrup and lemon juice that is a nice change of pace from the classics.  Easy to make, and delicious to taste this is a great dinner party drink to share with friends since it is not very common.  In making the honey simple syrup I follow my normal one-part honey to one-part water formula and add some lemon peels into a saucepan and bring to a boil on the stove and then let cool.  The addition of the lemon peels adds a depth of flavor that elevates the cocktail.  Give this one a try, you will not be disappointed. 

Ingredients:

• Woodford Reserve Bourbon (or your favorite)
• Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• Lemon Peel
• Homemade Simple Syrup made with honey (add lemon peels)  

Tools:

• Oxo two-sided shot glass/jigger
• Ice Cube Form (round preferred)
• Double Rocks Glass
• Cocktail Shaker
• Stir Sticks

Directions:

Honey Simple Syrup

1. Depending on how much you need you just combine equal parts honey and water in a saucepan and add three or four slices of lemon peel and bring to a boil while stirring then let cool.  For example, for small dinner parties I usually mix 1 cup water with 1 cup honey and in a small saucepan (with lemon peel added) bring it to a boil while stirring. 
2. I then remove from heat to cool.
3. Once cool remove the lemon peels and use a funnel to transfer the honey simple syrup to a squeeze bottle and place in fridge until its needed.

Gold Rush Cocktail

1. First make sure the night before you make large round ice cubes for the drink.
2. Place large round ice cube in your double rocks glass (tip – letting the large cube sit for a few minutes at room temperature will help the ice cube to not crack when other ingredients are added).
3. Then add the following to a cocktail shaker full of ice:
   • 2 oz Woodford Bourbon (or Bourbon of your choice)
   • ¾ oz of fresh squeezed and strained lemon juice
   • ¾ oz of Honey simple syrup (see above)
4. Once all ingredients added shake for 20 – 30 seconds
5. Strain into double rocks glass over one large round ice cube
6. Garnish with lemon peel 

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The items shown above are just suggestions/examples and each consumer should do their own research and choose the proper product that suits their needs the best.