Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme
A balanced bourbon cocktail featuring bright citrus notes and warm honey-thyme syrup, perfect for sipping any time of day. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice 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
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.75 oz honey
- 0.75 oz water
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 strip for garnish orange peel
- 1 for garnish lemon wheel
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 0.75 oz honey, 0.75 oz water, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Heat over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until honey dissolves and the syrup is fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then strain out thyme.
- Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz fresh orange juice, and 0.75 oz of the cooled honey-thyme syrup.
- Step 3: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold to the touch. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Step 4: Garnish with one orange peel strip twisted over the glass to release oils and one lemon wheel on the rim. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-spiced bourbon sour with honey and thyme in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Sour with Honey and Thyme?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
