Guaranteed to find pure gold and exhilarate your senses: the Bourbon Gold Rush!
I discovered this Bourbon cocktail recipe at Proof in Charleston. Simple yet delicious, the Bourbon Gold Rush is made with just honey and lemon. Absolutely Fabulous!
You’ve got to try the Bourbon Gold Rush and experience the gilded promise.

Recently in Charleston for dinner, I headed to Proof, an intimate craft cocktail bar, to check out their menu. They have many specialty drink recipes with Gin, Tequila, Bourbon, and Rye. With such a varied drink menu, I wanted to try them all.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t, so after ‘eny, meeny, miny, moe,’ I ended up on the Gold Rush.
Subscribe to my mailing list and get the unpublished Peanut Butter Jello Shot recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost). As an Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But we only recommend products we would use ourselves. For more information, click here to see our disclosures.
I got lucky that night because BB Barna, a Top 30 Bartender in the U.S., was the mixologist. B.B. told me he was soon headed to Texas for the USBG World Class competition.

Bartenders nationwide compete to become the 2023 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year for the opportunity to compete at the World Class Global Finals! The Top 30 (ten finalists per region) will advance to the Nationals Finals in Austin, TX, on May 16-18, 2023. Only ONE bartender will attend the World Class Global Finals in Sao Paulo – the 2023 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year!
B.B. made the top 30 in the U.S. and the top 10 in the Eastern division and will advance to the National Finals in Austin, TX, on May 16 – 18, 2023. Go B.B., go B.B., go B.B.!
Ingredients you’ll need to make a Bourbon Gold Rush

The Gold Rush is made with Bourbon, Honey Syrup, and lemon. I used Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon to make my Gold Rush.
Need a great Cocktail Shaker but don’t know which one to buy? Look no further.
Most likely, I’ve been mixing cocktails since before you were born. I’ve had dozens of shakers, some good, some ok, some really bad. But these two shakers are the best! To read more about them click here.
Best Ever Economical Cocktail Shaker
Pros
- Great price
- It will hold 3 martinis and ice (24 oz).
- Easy on top and cap. The top slides into the base and has a rubber seal. There is rubber on the neck of the top to hold the cap in place.
- Does not leak.
- Measuring Cap.
- Stainless Steel.
- Dishwasher safe (top rack).
- Easily disassembles.
Cons
- Single wall shaker (cold to the touch).
Best Ever Deluxe Cocktail Shaker
Pros
- It will hold 3 martinis and ice (20 oz).
- Screw on cap and top.
- Shake with one hand (the lid will not pop off).
- Does not leak. There is a rubber gasket on the cap and top.
- Measuring Cap.
- Double-walled (not cold to the touch).
- Stainless Steel.
- Dishwasher Safe (top rack), but I hand wash mine due to the price.
Cons
- The top diameter is 10.5 inches (if you have arthritis in your hands, this may not be for you).
- Don’t over-tighten; it’s not necessary.
How to make a Bourbon Gold Rush
Watch B.B. make this simple yet fantastic bourbon cocktail called the Gold Rush.

First, make your honey syrup and then set it aside to cool. Pour the bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon into a shaker with ice and let the cocktail sit for a minute. Shake well and pour the strained contents into a rocks glass with ice.
The recipe reminds me of something my Mother might have given me to fight off a nasty cold as a child. Haha, she didn’t do that…well I don’t think she ever did.
Other Easy Bourbon Cocktails
Remember to subscribe to my mailing list and get the unpublished Peanut Butter Jello Shot recipe
Sharing is caring! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Quick links are to the left and at the bottom of the post.

Bourbon Gold Rush
Ingredients
- 3/4 Ounce Honey Syrup recipe below
- 3/4 Ounce Lemon Juice
- 2 Ounces Bourbon
- 1 Lemon Peel
- Ice
Honey Syrup
- 1/4 Cup of Honey
- 1/4 Cup of Water
Instructions
Honey Syrup
- Stir the honey and the water in a small bowl until dissolved
Bourbon Gold Rush
- Combine honey syrup, lemon juice and bourbon in a shaker half full of ice
- Shake vigorously for 10 seconds
- Pour the strained ingredients into a glass with ice
- Garnish with a lemon peel