Citrus-Basil Stirred Sour
A vibrant sour cocktail balanced with fresh citrus and aromatic basil, stirred to a silky texture and served over large ice cubes. This recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, brings together bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup (1:1 honey to water) for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- large ice cubes
- 1 piece lemon twist
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, gently muddle 4 fresh basil leaves with 0.5 oz honey syrup to release the basil’s aroma.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, then fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with one large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a lemon twist over the surface by holding it over the glass and twisting to release oils, then rest it on the rim as garnish.
