Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail
This Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail is a modern twist on a classic drink. This herb-infused whiskey and rosemary cocktail is perfect for the fall and winter months!
If I were given some sort of quiz on classic cocktails, I would fail miserably. Granted, I’ve never worked as a bartender, so why would I know?
Unless you’re asking for something like a Gin & Tonic where the ingredients are listed right there in the name, I’m probably going to have to do a quick Internet search before I can make you a drink.
For example, for this month’s lemon-centric recipe, I was like “Oh, I know! I’ll make a whiskey sour, except for the sour . . . I’ll use lemon.”
Well you know what? Whiskey sours usually call for lemon.
That’s just the standard sour part of the drink. Oops! Guess I wasn’t really being all that original, huh?
Oh well, I still got to drink this Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour, so all was well.
Putting a modern twist on a bourbon sour with this rosemary cocktail:
But still, one of my favorite ways to put a modern twist on any classic cocktail is by using a homemade flavored simple syrup as the sweet element.
Classic simple syrup is literally just 1 part granulated sugar and 1 part water, gently heated until the sugar dissolves. It could NOT be simpler.
And for very little additional work, you can make an infused simple syrup by doing something as simple as throwing some herbs, whole spices, or fruit peels into the mixture as it heats.
My rosemary simple syrup post gives you all the details you’ll need to make a homemade flavored syrup for this cocktail.
Bourbon used to be my “winter liquor,” and I would stash it away during the warmer months, where I’d opt for vodka or gin.
Now, I enjoy bourbon year ‘round, but I still think it tastes better in the colder part of the year.
Call me crazy. And to me, rosemary screams “autumn!” like no other herb, with the exception of possibly sage.
This Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour recipe is meant to be a cocktail that you can enjoy now, and all the way through the chilliest time of year.
The ingredients for this Rosemary Bourbon Cocktail with Rosemary Simple Syrup are easy to find:
- Rosemary
- Sugar
- Bourbon
- Lemon Juice
Do I have to use bourbon?
No! If you don’t like bourbon, you’re still in luck. I’ve tested this recipe using vodka and gin, and it’s delicious with both of those spirits as well.
Substitute an equal amount of vodka or gin for the bourbon called for below. I also have a Rosemary Gin Cocktail and a Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail with Rosemary.
that you may enjoy.
If brandy is more your speed, be sure to try my brandy old fasioned.
Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail
This Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail is a modern twist on a classic drink. This herb-infused whiskey and rosemary cocktail is perfect for the fall and winter months!
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 3 large sprigs of rosemary
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons water
Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail
- Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 8 ounces bourbon
- 4 ounces fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes, for shaking and serving
- Sprigs of rosemary, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup: Place rosemary on cutting board and gently hit sprigs with back of knife to release their flavor and aroma.
- Transfer rosemary to small saucepot; stir in sugar and water. Cook over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to jar or container and refrigerate until completely cool, or up to 5 days. Makes about ½ cup syrup.
- To make 4 cocktails: In cocktail shaker, combine Rosemary Simple Syrup, bourbon, lemon juice and ice; shake well.
- Fill 4 double old fashioned glasses with ice; divide bourbon mixture between glasses. Serve cocktails garnished with rosemary sprigs, if desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 0g
More great cocktail recipes:
- Bourbon Apple Cider Punch – this one is also perfect for fall!
- Caramel Apple Cider Mules – another twist on another classic.
- Roasted Campari Bloody Mary – if you haven’t tried homemade bloody mary mix, you’re missing out.
- Cherry & Ginger Prosecco Spritz – bookmark this one for the summer.
- Mango-Pineapple Sangria – perfect for a party!
- Honey Thyme Margarita from The Little Epicurean
- Sparkling Limoncello Cocktail from Inside The Rustic Kitchen
My husband loves bourbon. I love rosemary. THIS drink is definitely happening in our home. Thanks!
Oh, sounds like this cocktail was made for your house, then. Enjoy, Nichole. Happy Thanksgiving!
It is Dry January, so I made this with Kentucky 74 bourbon. It was quite refreshing and fun to have at brunch!
Glad you liked it, Patty!
Such a yummy drink recipe! But we had to guesstimate a little on the rosemary syrup. Would love to know exactly how much of the syrup you’re actually using in the actual cocktails. Are you pouring the entire 1/2 mixture in the shaker or a specific ounce amount? Thanks in advance for the clarification!
The Rosemary syrup recipe makes 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) syrup. For four cocktails, you would use the entire 1/2 cup. Or, to make a single drink, you would use 2 tablespoons (1 fl oz) syrup per drink.
Would be great if you could edit the recipe to include that measurement!
Hi Melanie – what measurement are you looking for? You use the entire amount of simple syrup to make the cocktails.
I agree it would be clearer if you listed it as 1/2 cup syrup in the drink construction. Easier to scale that way too. I found it slightly sweet for my taste, I added a touch of salt and some more lemon juice to cut that with nice results.