Golden Honey Citrus Highball

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

A sweet and bright highball featuring locally sourced honey, zested lemon, and sparkling water for a perfectly balanced sip. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together Rye whiskey, Fresh lemon juice, Local honey syrup 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 142 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 American cuisine 142 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, combine 1.5 oz rye whiskey, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.75 oz honey syrup, shaking vigorously for 15 seconds until well-chilled and slightly frothy.
  2. Step 2: Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes, then top with 4 oz sparkling water while gently stirring to combine.
  3. Step 3: Gently sprinkle 1 pinch of lemon zest over the surface, watching it float and release citrus oils as it settles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Golden Honey Citrus Highball 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 Golden Honey Citrus Highball?

Refrigerate any leftover golden honey citrus highball 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 Golden Honey Citrus Highball?

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 Golden Honey Citrus Highball 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 Golden Honey Citrus Highball?

American 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.

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