Rosemary & Honey Whiskey Cocktail
Anything made with an infused simple syrup is destined for greatness — and this Rosemary & Honey Whiskey Cocktail is no different. Very similar to an Old Fashioned, this cocktail combines your favorite whiskey, bitters, and simple syrup for a tasty beverage you’re sure to enjoy.
Sure, I’m not the first to think of infusing rosemary in a cocktail, but combining those flavors with my favorite rye whiskey was an experiment that came out better than I expected!
I am a certified whiskey guy, so coming up with a cocktail recipe that incorporated a spicy rye whiskey and was also simple to pull together was an opportunity I looked forward to.
Ingredients you need to make this cocktail:
- The foundation for your cocktail will be your choice of whiskey, and this very important choice will determine the potency and flavor of your cocktail. For a sweeter, full-bodied cocktail, go with bourbon, and if you want a spicier, drier version, opt for a rye.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs bring a lemon and pine flavor to the cocktail, which gives this cocktail a boost of flavor.
- Raw and unfiltered honey is added to create the simple syrup.
- Aromatic bitters are responsible for the complexity of the cocktail. Depending on the brand and type, these alcohol-based infusions can add flavors of cinnamon, mint, fruit, spices, flowers, and herbs. You’ll only need a few drops.
How to make this whiskey cocktail:
Make the rosemary and honey-infused simple syrup. Add your water, honey, and sugar to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add your rosemary sprigs. Continue to boil for one minute, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Once done, allow it to cool, then pour it into a sealed glass container. (This is more than enough for you to use for multiple cocktails.)
Make the cocktail. Pour your whiskey, rosemary, simple syrup, and aromatic bitters into a cocktail glass and stir. Add a large ice cube (paid link), orange peel, and rosemary sprig for garnish.
And here are a few substitutions…
- I use rye whiskey for this recipe. Rye is known to be spicier and carries a bit of a bite in comparison to bourbon. You can also use your favorite bourbon to make this cocktail.
- Have fun with it, and infuse other herbs! Mint and basil are great as well.
This is honestly one of my favorite cocktails because of the unmatched flavor. When you want to wow the crowd, give this Rosemary and Honey Whiskey Cocktail a spot, and you will not regret it. Cheers!
PrintRosemary and Honey Whiskey Cocktail
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
Anything made with an infused simple syrup is destined for greatness — and this Rosemary & Honey Whiskey Cocktail is no different. Very similar to an Old Fashioned, this cocktail combines your favorite whiskey, bitters, and simple syrup for a tasty beverage you’re sure to enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 rosemary sprigs
For the Whiskey Cocktail:Â
- 3 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz rosemary and honey simple syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 rosemary sprig, garnish
- 1 orange peel, garnish
Instructions
- Add the water, sugar, and honey to a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Once the sugar dissolves, add the rosemary sprigs and boil for an additional minute. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for an additional 10 minutes.Â
- Add whiskey, bitters, and rosemary & honey simple syrup into a cocktail glass and stir.Â
- Add one large ice cube (paid link), then garnish with an orange peel and rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.Â
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 243
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Bravo sir! Just made this, it was delicious. I found the cocktail 1:3 ratio a little too sweet, so I toned my down on the syrup when mixing. Thank you!
Awesome, Ken! Thanks for checking out the recipe. We make this at home all time and will adjust the sweetness ourselves depending on the day. Glad you enjoyed it!