Hot Gold Rush
The warm incarnation of the modern classic, the Gold Rush, a sophisticated and comforting toddy with bourbon, honey, and lemon.
12%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
mug
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“The Hot Gold Rush is a warm adaptation of the Gold Rush, a modern classic invented in the early 2000s at Milk & Honey in New York City by T.J. Siegal. The hot version is essentially a high-quality Hot Toddy, using the Gold Rush's specific and balanced ratio of bourbon, lemon, and honey.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Preheat a heat-resistant glass or mug.
Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup in the preheated mug.
Stir to integrate the ingredients.
Top with hot water and stir gently again.
Garnish with a lemon wheel studded with cloves.
Glassware
Served in a pre-heated mug with a handle
Garnish
Lemon wheel studded with cloves
A fresh lemon wheel with 3-4 whole cloves inserted into the pulp
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a high-proof bourbon to ensure the whiskey's character is not lost when diluted with hot water.
The water should be hot but not boiling, as boiling water can scald the ingredients and evaporate some of the alcohol's more delicate aromas.
Preheating the mug is a critical step to prevent the drink from cooling too quickly.
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Hot Gold Rush.
Hot Toddy
The closest relative, a traditional Hot Toddy often includes spices like a cinnamon stick, star anise, or cloves.
Changes
Hot Honey Gold Rush
A variation that uses a commercially available or homemade 'hot honey' (honey infused with chili peppers) to add a spicy kick to the drink.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
Colonel Collins
A bourbon Collins—whiskey, lemon, and sugar lengthened with soda over ice.