Citrus-Spiced Honey Bourbon Smash
A vibrant bourbon cocktail with bright citrus notes and warming honey spice, perfect for savoring slowly on a cool evening. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup (1:1 honey and 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
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
- a pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 strip fresh orange peel
- as needed ice cubes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes and pour in 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz honey syrup.
- Step 2: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the shaker, then shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
- Step 3: Double strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with fresh large ice cubes.
- Step 4: Express the oils of 1 wide strip of fresh orange peel over the surface, twist to release the oils, then rim the glass and rest the peel inside as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiced Honey Bourbon Smash take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 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 Honey Bourbon Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-spiced honey bourbon smash 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 Honey Bourbon Smash?
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 Honey Bourbon Smash 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 Honey Bourbon Smash?
Cocktails 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.
