Bourbon. Sage. Honey. Lemon.

It almost sounds healthy, doesn’t it? This sage-infused honey syrup cocktail is refreshing and well balanced. Not a big fan of bourbon? Try it with gin. Both are delightful.

Honey Sage Syrup

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup water

1 ounce fresh sage leaves, stems removed

Sage Gold Rush Cocktail

2 ounces bourbon

1 ½ ounces honey sage simple syrup

1 ½ ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

To make the syrup, combine honey, water, and sage leaves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. As soon as mixture starts to steam, turn heat off. Steep sage leaves for 10 minutes. Strain into a jar or bottle with a lid, pressing leaves firmly to release liquid. Makes about 1 cup. Leftover syrup will keep well sealed in the fridge for about 1 month.

To make the cocktail, combine bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake for 1 minute. Strain into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses; garnish with a twist of lemon and a few sprigs sage.