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    Home » Party Ideas » Bourbon Cocktail with Honey and Sage

    Published: Sep 17, 2019 · Modified: Oct 14, 2021 by Pam

    Bourbon Cocktail with Honey and Sage

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    This honey bourbon cocktail with orange and honey sage syrup makes an excellent choice for a welcome drink at any fall party, or when you cozy up with someone special in front of the fire.

    bourbon cocktail with a second drink in background

    The inspiration for this honey bourbon cocktail came from successfully growing a pot of sage this year, along with my usual herbs. As it continued doing well into late summer my thoughts were turning to fall eats and drinks. 

    A libation featuring sage and our beloved bourbon just naturally came to life.

    Honey was also at the forefront because I had just completed an interview of a beekeeper for our local farmers market. I learned so much about honey, and I bet you’ll find this interesting too.

    bourbon and honey cocktail

    Did you know that if too many bees are kept in one location there isn’t enough natural nectar for them, and their feed must be supplemented? That practice results in a less-than-pure honey with inferior taste.

    The beekeeper I spoke with explained that by spreading the hives out in numerous locations they end up with pure, natural honey.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on an affiliate link and buy something, we may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    bourbon cocktail with oranges & honey bottle in background

    Of course I came home with a couple of bottles of that pure and delicious honey. And then there is the addition of orange into the mix.

    I’ve seen recipes for similar cocktails that finish up with just a twist of orange peel over the cocktail to release the oils.

    I wanted a bit bolder orange flavor and decided to give a good squeeze of  orange into the drink. With the first try the orange was still barely noticeable, so in completing the development of this recipe I made the orange wedge larger and gave it a good, firm squeeze.

    For another adult drink with orange flavors (and light on the alcohol) be sure to get the recipe for White Wine Sangria.

    Bourbon, citrus, honey? All beloved southern flavors, right? Learn more by reading “Southern Food Then and Now”.

    And, if you’re a bourbon nut (like us) you’ll want to check out this article, What is Bourbon? A Brief History of America’s Whiskey.

    Hey, are you getting our new recipe each week? If not, you can sign up here. 

    Bourbon Lovers Guides

    If you’ve been around here long you know that we’re good old southern bourbon lovers. In fact, we put together the Ultimate Bourbon Lovers Gift Guide as well as a guide to everything you need to make classic bourbon cocktails. 

    You’ll want to check those out, especially with the gift-giving season approaching soon.

    A Honey Bourbon Cocktail worthy of being a “Welcome Drink”

    When I’m entertaining in the evening I enjoy greeting everyone with a special cocktail. I usually try to keep it in line with the theme, the menu, or the season.  This one is perfect for any fall or winter gathering. I like that it doesn’t have anything sparkling that would go flat.

    You could have a pitcher of these mixed up with a few orange curls and sage leaves in a bowl to use as garnish. As your guests arrive meet them at the door with this honey bourbon cocktail in hand and you’ll have happy, impressed visitors.

    To add a bit of variety to your offerings, you’ll want to also make this Spiced Pear & Bourbon Ice Tea Cocktail.

    single bourbon cocktail with orange twist & sage leaf

    Does the ice matter?

    Ask anyone who is serious about their bourbon and you’ll get a resounding “Yes!” The main thing to keep in mind is that you want your ice cubes to be larger, so there is less dilution of the drink, while still chilling.

    This post contains affiliate links. Click here for our full disclosure and privacy policy.

    We love these silicone ice trays that make larger, square ice cubes. For a bigger selection click over to the two bourbon guides here and here. 

    cocktail with honey, bourbon & orange behind it

    Bourbon Cocktails for two or for a party:

    The recipe is written for two cocktails, though the honey sage simple syrup actually makes enough for several. The syrup will keep very nicely 5-7 days in your fridge.

    For just the two cocktails we added some ice and gave it a good shake in a cocktail shaker before pouring it over the large ice cubes in fun 9 oz. glasses (these are similar ones I found on Amazon).

    If you’re serving more people just stir them up in advance and refrigerate in a pretty cocktail pitcher. This link goes to a full page of great cocktail pitchers. Pour up over ice and garnish as you need them.

    The Bourbon for your cocktails?

    Use a good one, for sure. We used Knob Creek, which we love, and it’s good quality, but still affordable. Our Ultimate Guide for Bourbon Lovers highlights a number of choices in several price ranges, as does our post Everything You Need to Make Classic Bourbon Cocktails. 

    As with the honey, use the best quality bourbon your budget will allow and you’ll be pleased with this cocktail.

    Simple Syrups for Cocktails

    Besides the syrup used in this drink, we love making syrups for cocktails in a variety of flavors. The easiest way to do that is to use jam. You’ll have a variety of syrups in just minutes. Go get crazy with your mixology!

    Bourbon Cocktail with Honey, Sage and Orange

    Pam
    Bourbon Cocktail made with honey and sage infused syrup and a good twist of fresh orange.
    4.72 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 2 people

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup honey good quality
    • 1 cup water
    • 10-12 leaves fresh sage
    • 3 ounces bourbon good quality
    • 2 wedges orange approx. 1 inch wide

    Instructions
     

    • Combine honey, water and sage leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring until honey is incorporated into water.
    • Boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
    • Combine bourbon, 2 ounces of syrup and juice from orange wedges in a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice. Shake.
    • Pour immediately over about 3 large ice cubes in a 8-11 ounces size glass. Garnish with orange curl and sage leave, if desired.

    Notes

    This cocktail recipe can easily be made into a full pitcher by multiplying the ingredients by the number of drinks you want to make. Instead of shaking with ice refrigerate the pitcher until well chilled. 
    Keyword bourbon,, cocktails, honey, sage
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Don’t forget to sign up here for weekly newsletters. They come out every Friday with a new recipe each week. 

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    Categories: Bourbon Tags: beverages

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia says

      September 19, 2019 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect party cocktail! And I agree with you that the size of ice matters a lot.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 19, 2019 at 11:35 am

        Thanks, Julia!

        Reply
    2. Dannii says

      September 19, 2019 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      This cocktail is stunning. It would be great for a Christmas party.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 19, 2019 at 11:35 am

        Thank you! We’re looking forward to serving it at Christmas, too.

        Reply
    3. Kate says

      September 19, 2019 at 10:38 am

      I looove adding sage to cocktails, it’s so unique and tasty! Can’t wait to try it with the honey!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 19, 2019 at 11:35 am

        I think you’ll love it!

        Reply
    4. Raia Todd says

      September 19, 2019 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      This flavor combo sounds amazing!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 19, 2019 at 11:36 am

        It is indeed! Thanks, Raia

        Reply
    5. Traci says

      September 19, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Whoah! This beautiful cocktail is getting added to my holiday entertaining list. Scrumptious winter flavors of fresh sage and oranges…YUMMMM!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 20, 2019 at 8:58 am

        Thanks so much, Traci!

        Reply
    6. Lisa says

      September 21, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      This looks beautiful and I’m sure it is delicious!

      Cheers 🥃

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 21, 2019 at 6:46 pm

        awww…. thanks, Lisa!

        Reply
    7. Aimee Mars says

      July 24, 2020 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      Honey, bourbon, and sage syrup! This cocktail sounds absolutely dreamy. My husband is a HUGE burbon guy so I know he’ll love it too.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 24, 2020 at 10:45 am

        I bet he will. Thanks, Aimee!

        Reply
    8. Toni says

      July 24, 2020 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      I love how delicious and easy this cocktail is! Perfect for me and my husband.

      Reply
    9. Dannii says

      July 24, 2020 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      I bet the honey and sage combo in this is amazing. I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 24, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        It really is. Hope you love it!

        Reply
    10. Pam Greer says

      July 24, 2020 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      My sage is doing great this year and so is my supply of bourbon 🙂 so this is definitely going on the list to make tonight!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 24, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        Made me laugh!

        Reply
    11. Soniya says

      July 24, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      Oh my ! That looks gorgeous 😍 love the addition of sage on it.. definitely making it soon

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 24, 2020 at 2:53 pm

        Thanks so much, Soniya!

        Reply
    12. Scarlet says

      July 24, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Oh, this bourbon cocktail sounds right up my alley with the sweetness from honey and the herbaceous flavor of sage. Yum!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 24, 2020 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you, Scarlet!

        Reply
    13. Gretha Lindwood says

      November 26, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      Well now, that was really tasty! I made this drink for tonight’s virtual Thanksgiving Happy Hour with friends. Apparently someone had eaten the last orange the other day so I used 2 Tbs of orange juice in the mix and a lemon peel twist in each glass along with a sprig of our homegrown sage. Am looking forward to using actual orange and orange peel next time but these were a fine substitute.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        November 27, 2020 at 9:37 am

        That’s great to hear! Thanks, Gretha. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

        Reply
    14. Kimshiro Benton-Hermsen says

      December 16, 2020 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      I had this at a bridal shower and fell in love. It is amazing. I have made them several times, pre-COVID for groups, and now just for me and hubby 🙂 I have ran out of honey, and subbed in dark maple syrup (the REAL stuff) and that was a delightful variation. In fact, once the honey was restocked I had to make both versions to compare. We couldn’t make up our minds, so a second tasting is scheduled. Happy times!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        December 17, 2020 at 11:22 am

        Wow! We’re so happy you love it! Come back and let us know how the second tasting goes.

        Reply

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