gold rush
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gold rush cocktail
If you love bourbon, and you want to try a variation of what’s essentially a whiskey sour, try the Gold Rush.
Let’s talk about proof. It’s almost non-stop when it comes to questions regarding “which whiskey do you use for this/that?”—and if I’m being quite frank, I could probably care less what you pick.
What I always pay attention to, however, is PROOF. A believe there are a plethora of quality bourbons along the entire scale; whether it’s a standard 80 proof, all the way up to 125+ barrel strength.
Knowing where along that scale impacts the final cocktail is VASTLY more important when deciding which bottle you pick up and who is receiving this drink. That’s my rant for the day. Enjoy your bourbon how you want to, nerds.
Gold Rush Ingredients
honey syrup
fresh lemons
your favorite bourbon
(I use four roses yellow label in this one)
Gold Rush Cocktail Directions
0.75oz | 22.5ml honey syrup
1oz | 30ml lemon juice
2oz | 60ml bourbon
Cut a thin lemon wheel for garnish. Squeeze the remaining for juice. Combine honey syrup, lemon juice, and bourbon into a shaker tin, shake with ice, and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with your lemon wheel.
Gold Rush Cocktail History
The Gold Rush cocktail is a modern classic that was invented not in the 1800’s, but in 2001. Bartender T.J. Siegal at the famous Milk & Honey in NYC is credited for this one.
He wasn’t actually even working at M&H, he just stopped in for a post-shift cocktail. His childhood best friend, Sasha Petraske, who had opened the award-winning bar, was making a honey syrup. T.J.’s drink of choice was a whiskey sour, rocks, no egg white. He asked Sasha to make him his usual, subbing with honey syrup. And history was born.
The Gold Rush became a frequently made order at Milk & Honey, and within a decade, T.J. wound up seeing his invention on bar’s “classics” menus, right next to manhattans and martinis.
One of those modern drinks that’s kind of like modern art — you’re mad you didn’t think of it first and become famous for something so stupid simple.
A whiskey sour, but the Gold Rush simply swaps your average simple syrup for a honey syrup. That’s it. And it’s delicious.
