This Gold Rush Cocktail is simple, festive, and made for celebrating! Ready in minutes with just three ingredients, it's the perfect drink for holiday gatherings or at-home happy hour.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.
How has it taken me this long to share a bourbon cocktail recipe on the blog?
If you've made my buttery bourbon cherry cookies, you already how how good bourbon is in dessert form. They're basically a cocktail disguised as a cookie. And yet, I somehow hadn't turned that same love into an easy bourbon cocktail...until now!
This Gold Rush Cocktail felt especially perfect for New Year's Eve. Everyone is celebrating, throwing around glitter and confetti, and you deserve a golden drink in your hand after a long year.
This cocktail sounds fancy, but it couldn't be simpler! All you need is three ingredients, five minutes, and a mason jar to shake it all up.
Ingredients
- Bourbon
- Lemon Juice
- Honey Syrup
How to make a Gold Rush Cocktail
- Pour all ingredients into a small mason jar, or cocktail shaker, cover, and shake to mix. Pour over ice in a rocks glass. Enjoy!

Top tips
How to make honey syrup
The honey syrup is a simple syrup made of honey and water in order to allow the honey to be easily mixed into the cocktail. You can combine the honey and water in any ratio you prefer, but I like two parts honey to one part water.
How to measure cocktail ingredients
I used a little jigger I've had around my house forever to measure the whiskey and cider (here's an affiliate link to a similar one), but you could use anything in your kitchen that will measure in milliliters, or simply keep the apple cider and whiskey in a 2:1 ratio.
The best glass for an old fashioned
The best glass to use for an old fashioned cocktail will depend on if you're adding a mixer or not. I like mine straight with one big ice cube, so a smaller 8 ounce glass (affiliate link) might be preferable.
If you plan to add more ice and/or mixers, I'd recommend a regular rocks glass. These glasses are short and wide, allowing you to smell that beautiful whiskey as you sip.
Tips for customizing
- Swap the honey syrup for ginger liqueur
- Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker for an extra cold cocktail
- Experiment with other types of whiskey
- Multiply by how many people you'd like to serve to prepare a gold rush pitcher for a party
- Make it into a mocktail by using a zero-proof bourbon alternative
FAQ
My rule of thumb is to use a bourbon you would enjoy drinking on its own. I like Woodford Reserve because it has a rich, bold, and well-balanced flavor.
Yes! This recipe can easily be scaled up for a crowd. Multiply the ingredients, mix in a pitcher, and chill until ready to serve. Add ice to individual glasses when serving.

More cocktail recipes
- Maple Old Fashioned
- Buttery Nipple Shot
- Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail
- Lemon Drop Shot
- Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
- Blackberry Gin Smash
- Gin and Tonic
- Mojito Pitcher
- Margarita Pitcher
- Pineapple Margarita
- Apple Cider Cocktail
- Vegas Bomb
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe

Gold Rush Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce honey syrup, (see notes)
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients in a small mason jar or cocktail shaker, cover, and shake to mix. Pour over one large or a 2-3 normal sized ice cubes in a rocks glass.








Charlie says
Good idea! I'll give it a go tomorrow night, thank you.
Annette says
Great recipe and loved the video using a mason jar. I tested it out Sunday night and made for friends New Year's Eve. Good for both men and women's tastes Thank you!
Lindsay Moe says
I agree that it's great for everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Gloria Tartaro says
Hi I plan on making this tomorrow.... just wondering if you think it would be good with ORANGE instead of lemon? Crazy idea. Thanks for the great recipe.
Lindsay Moe says
I think orange is a great idea! I have added orange bitters to this drink before. It might have a stronger flavor, so maybe start with a little and add more to taste. Let me know how it is!
Sharlee says
Really good! Definitely a keeper!