Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warmly spiced bourbon sour sweetened with honey and balanced by fresh lemon juice, crafted to appeal to everyday palates. This cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 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 200 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.

Prep: 5 min Serves 1 Cocktails & Drinks cuisine 200 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz honey syrup.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the shaker.
  3. Step 3: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is cold and frosty.
  4. Step 4: Double strain into a rocks glass filled with a single large ice cube.
  5. Step 5: Express a wide strip of lemon peel over the surface, twisting to release oils, then rest it on the rim for garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour 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 Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour?

Refrigerate any leftover commoner's honey bourbon sour 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 Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour?

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 Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour 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 Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour?

Cocktails & Drinks 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.