How to Make a DAMN GOOD Gold Rush Cocktail

This cocktail tastes like a million bucks

gold rush cocktail in old fashioned glass on wood table with lemons and ginger

What could be more indicative of a good life than kicking back with a DAMN GOOD Gold Rush cocktail in hand? Similar to a whiskey sour, but 10xs better. This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion and can be made with rye whiskey or bourbon. All you need is honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a few optional garnishes. So cheers to the good life and drink up!

About This Gold Rush Cocktail

Recently, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a DAMN GOOD cocktail during a virtual cocktail mixology session with Clyde May's Whiskey and Natalie from Beautiful Booze. As an old pro at mixing cocktails, I've made my share; however, this was my first time coming across a Gold Rush. And not only was it ridiculously easy to make, but it also was DAMN GOOD too! So I'm sharing it with you today.

overhead view of gold rush cocktail garnished with lemon wedge on wood cutting board

How to Make Ginger Honey Syrup

The ginger honey syrup is the secret ingredient that elevates this DAMN GOOD Gold Rush Cocktail and makes it all come together. And, I'm going to show you how easy it is to make your own ginger honey syrup from scratch.

How to Make Ginger Honey Syrup Using Fresh Ginger Root + Honey

This ginger honey recipe is easy and quick enough that anyone can make it in about 25 minutes.

1 Cup Fresh Ginger Root (peeled and chopped)

3/4 Cup Honey

3/4 to 1 Cup Water

You'll need to peel and medium chop ginger, which you'll add water and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Next, strain the water into a bowl and discard the ginger pieces. Let the ginger-infused water cool for about 3-5 minutes.

Add a little bit of honey at a time to the ginger water slowly stirring until it dissolves.

Once everything's been mixed together, just pour it all into a glass jar, seal the lid, and store it in the fridge for up to 1 month.

How to Make Ginger Honey Syrup Using Store Bought Syrups

If you are super low on time, this method is for you.

1 part Monin Ginger Syrup

1 part Monin Honey Syrup

In a small bowl, equally, combine the Monin Ginger Syrup and Monin Honey Syrup. Mix and pour it into a small glass jar and store in the fridge.

3 Ways to Use Leftover Ginger Honey Syrup

Enjoy as a sweetener in a cup of hot tea
Add a spoonful or so to Greek yogurt for a healthy sweet treat
Elevate your next happy hour and add ginger honey syrup to a Bees Knees or Penicillin cocktail

half lemon gold jigger whiskey bottle laying on its side on a yellow white stripped towel

Why a Gold Rush Cocktail Should Be Stirred Not Shaken

If you're looking to make a cocktail that's a little bit fancier than your average drink, you might want to try stirring it instead of shaking. When you stir a drink, you mix the flavors together in a more gentle way, which results in a more balanced cocktail. Verses, shaking which tends to dilute your cocktail. Stirred cocktails are ideal for drinks that are composed primarily of spirits, tonics, or bitters, or drinks that are prepared right in the glass they'll be served in.

bottle of clyde mays whiskey sitting by gold rush cocktail with cut lemon and ginger

The Best Glassware for a Gold Rush Cocktail

I suggest a double old-fashioned glass (or a rocks glass), but a gold rush cocktail looks pretty elegant up in a coupe glass too.

cocktail being strained into old fashioned glass from cocktail shaker clyde mays whiskey bottle

Tools You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

Here are a few essential tools you’ll need to make this Gold Rush cocktail

I recommend this Mixology and Craft Cocktail Starter Kit as a former bartender. This 4-piece kit includes a stainless steel Boston Cocktail Shaker, strainers, and 2-sided jiggers for the most accurate 1 ounce and 2 ounces pour.
A citrus juicer is a must-have for this classic cocktail ensuring you'll get more freshly squeezed lemon juice every time.
This traditional drink is best served in a classic Old fashioned glass. This set of 6 old fashioned glasses is both stylish and dishwasher safe. For a more elegant look, offer this Gold Rush cocktail in this set of coupe glasses.
A slow-melting large ice cube is essential for obtaining the full whiskey experience. I have large spherical ice cube molds and I highly recommend them.
A fine mesh strainer is ideal for mixing classic cocktails and preparing hot beverages. This bar-quality fine mesh strainer is part of a pair.
A stainless steel bar spoon makes it a snap to mix up delectable drinks.

A Few More Cocktail Recipes

If you liked this Gold Rush, then you'll love these cocktail recipes too!

gold rush cocktail in rocks glass with one large ice cube sitting on white counter

“Now let’s get to mixing, so we can get to sipping!”

— Mel Drake

The DAMN GOOD Gold Rush Recipe

Servings: 1 Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey (for this recipe, I used Clyde May’s Rye Whiskey)

1 ounce Ginger Honey Syrup (see recipe above)

¾ ounces Fresh Lemon Juice

Optional:

Lemon Twist or Lemon Slice (garnish)

Fresh Mint (garnish)

Glassware: Double Old-Fashioned glass

Instructions:

Make the Ginger Honey Syrup: follow one of the two methods for preparing fresh ginger honey syrup described above.

Prepare the Glass: Place one large whiskey ice cube in an old fashioned whisky glass. Set the chilled rocks glass aside while preparing your cocktail.

Stir, Strain & Serve: Add the bourbon or rye whiskey, ginger honey syrup, fresh lemon juice to an ice filled shaker. Instead of shaking, slowly stir with a bar spoon to gently mix the flavors together. Double strain this cocktail by straining it with a cocktail strainer then pouring it through a fine mesh strainer into an old-fashioned whiskey glass filled with one large ice cube. To complete this classic drink, add a twist of lemon to finish.

Thank You

Gold Rush cocktails are the perfect drink to celebrate any occasion. They're easy to make, taste great, and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. Whether you use rye whiskey or bourbon, this recipe is sure to please. Be sure to add ginger honey syrup for a delicious sweetness that perfectly balances out the tart lemon juice. And don't forget the garnishes! So raise your glass and enjoy a Gold Rush today!

If you make this DAMN GOOD Gold Rush cocktail, please feel free to reach out on social media or leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear how they turn out for you.

Cheers!

-XOXO (as always)

Mel D.

Photography by Melissa "Mel" Drake