Honey-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda
A subtly sweet and spicy bourbon highball made with honey syrup and zesty lemon soda for a lively twist on the classic. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together bourbon whiskey, honey syrup (1:1 honey to water), lemon soda 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
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 4 oz lemon soda
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 piece fresh lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill the drink thoroughly.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz of bourbon whiskey and 0.5 oz of honey syrup directly over the ice.
- Step 3: Pour 4 oz of lemon soda slowly down the side of the glass to maintain carbonation.
- Step 4: Stir gently for 5 seconds with a bar spoon to mix the honey and bourbon without losing fizz.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 fresh lemon wheel placed on the rim for an aromatic citrus note.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda 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-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-spiced bourbon highball with lemon soda 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-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda?
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-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda 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-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Lemon Soda?
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.
