Honey-Lime Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water
A subtly sweet bourbon highball elevated by honey and zesty lime, balanced with sparkling water for a bubbly finish. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together bourbon whiskey, sparkling water, honey 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 whiskey
- 5 oz sparkling water
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 piece lime wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz of bourbon whiskey with 1 tsp of honey and 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice; stir well until honey dissolves completely.
- Step 2: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill.
- Step 3: Pour the bourbon mixture over the ice, then gently add 5 oz of sparkling water, pouring slowly to keep the bubbles alive.
- Step 4: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to blend the ingredients.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 lime wheel placed on the rim for aroma and color.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lime Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water 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 Honey-Lime Bourbon Highball with Sparkling Water?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-lime 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-Lime 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-Lime 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-Lime 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.
