Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest
A smooth bourbon sour sweetened with honey and brightened by fresh ginger and zesty orange peel. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together Bourbon whiskey, 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 210 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 whiskey
- 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz Honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 1/4 oz Fresh ginger juice
- as needed Ice cubes
- 1 wide strip Orange peel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Step 2: Pour in 2 oz bourbon whiskey, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 3/4 oz honey syrup, and 1/4 oz fresh ginger juice.
- Step 3: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
- Step 4: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass to remove pulp and ice shards.
- Step 5: Express the oils from a wide strip of orange peel over the surface by holding it skin-side down and twisting firmly.
- Step 6: Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass, then rest it elegantly on the rim as garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 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 Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-ginger bourbon sour with orange zest 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 Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest?
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 Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest 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 Honey-Ginger Bourbon Sour with Orange Zest?
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.
