Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned
A warm, herbaceous twist on the classic Old Fashioned, balancing rich bourbon with honey sweetness and aromatic rosemary. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together bourbon, honey syrup (1:1 honey to water), dashes Angostura bitters 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 180 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
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- 1 large clear ice cube
- 1 wide strip orange peel
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube in a rocks glass. In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine 2 oz bourbon, 1/2 oz honey syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Step 2: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 4: Lightly slap a fresh rosemary sprig between your hands to release its aroma, then place it standing against the glass interior.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the surface to release oils, twist it, and rest it on the rim for garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned 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 Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned?
Refrigerate any leftover honeyed bourbon and rosemary old fashioned 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 Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned?
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 Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned 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 Honeyed Bourbon and Rosemary Old Fashioned?
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.
