Commoner's Honey Bourbon Sour
A warmly spiced bourbon sour sweetened with honey and balanced by fresh lemon juice, crafted to appeal to everyday palates. This cocktails & drinks-inspired 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.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 piece lemon twist
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the shaker.
- Step 3: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is cold and frosty.
- Step 4: Double strain into a rocks glass filled with a single large ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of lemon peel over the surface, twisting to release oils, then rest it on the rim for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
