Honey-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water
A subtly sweet bourbon highball brightened with fresh lemon juice and mellow honey, topped with sparkling water for a lively finish. This general-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 160 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
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 4 oz sparkling water
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 piece lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to keep the drink chilled.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of bourbon over the ice, letting the warmth settle.
- Step 3: Add 0.75 oz of fresh lemon juice to introduce bright citrus notes.
- Step 4: Stir in 0.5 oz of honey syrup (made by mixing equal parts honey and warm water) to add gentle sweetness.
- Step 5: Slowly top with 4 oz of sparkling water, pouring carefully to maintain the fizz.
- Step 6: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to blend flavors without losing carbonation.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1 lemon wheel on the rim for visual appeal and added aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water 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 Honey-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-lemon bourbon highball with sparkling water 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-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water?
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-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water 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-Lemon Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water?
General 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.
