Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey
A smooth bourbon sour enhanced with fragrant rosemary and natural honey sweetness for a balanced herbal note. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 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 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 and water)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary sprig
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, lightly bruise 1 fresh rosemary sprig by pressing it between your palms to release oils.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz honey syrup to the shaker.
- Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the brim and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Step 4: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass to remove rosemary bits.
- Step 5: Garnish by placing a fresh rosemary sprig upright in the glass and express a small lemon peel over the surface, resting it on the rim.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 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 Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey?
Refrigerate any leftover herbal bourbon sour with rosemary and honey 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 Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey?
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 Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey 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 Herbal Bourbon Sour with Rosemary and Honey?
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.