• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Littlest Crumb
  • Drinks
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Drinks
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Drinks
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
×

Home » Drink Recipes » Cocktails

Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail

Jump to Recipe

This bourbon rosemary cocktail is the best cocktail for fall and winter. Made with a homemade rosemary syrup, bourbon, lemon juice and a dash of maple syrup. Topped with club soda and served over ice.

A golden bourbon rosemary cocktail, garnished with rosemary, sitting on a dark metal tray, next to lemon slices with a wooden background.

If you enjoy bourbon-based cocktails, try this blackberry bourbon smash, pineapple old fashioned, or this blood orange whiskey sour. 

For other bourbon cocktails that are perfect for fall, try this ginger pear bourbon cocktail or this apple bourbon cocktail.

For other rosemary cocktails, try this rosemary gimlet.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Highlights
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • FAQ
  • Expert Tips
  • More recipes like this
  • 📖 Recipe
Overhead view of a bourbon cocktail, garnished with fresh rosemary, sitting on a black, round metal tray, next to fresh lemon slices.

Recipe Highlights

  • It’s made with homemade rosemary simple syrup. This is an easy to make rosemary infused syrup made with fresh herbs.
  • It’s the best cozy fall & winter cocktail. Bourbon + rosemary + maple syrup is the best cold weather combination. Perfect for enjoying around a fireplace with family and friends.
  • It’s not overly sugary. It’s an earthy, herby drink rather than a super sugary, fruity cocktail.

Ingredients

All the ingredients needed to make the cocktail, sitting on a marble table.
  • Rosemary: This syrup only works with fresh rosemary — you can’t substitute it for dried herbs.
  • Maple Syrup: Use real maple syrup rather than artificial syrup. There is a huge difference in the quality, and you can taste the difference especially in a cocktail.

Instructions

First, make the rosemary simple syrup. Heat the rosemary, sugar and water on a saucepan over medium heat.

Bring them to a gentle simmer, and continue to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Strain out the rosemary and let the syrup cool.

Fresh rosemary simmering in a grey pan on the stovetop.

Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with some ice and shake to combine.

Strain, top with club soda and serve.

Club soda being poured into the cocktail, sitting on a dark metal plate, next to rosemary and lemon slices, with a dark wood background.

FAQ

Can I use store bought rosemary syrup instead?

Yes. However, this flavor of simple syrup is extremely difficult to find — I haven’t come across any. That being said, if you are able to find one and prefer to use that, go for it!

Can I make this a non-alcoholic cocktail?

Yes. For a non-alcoholic version, remove the bourbon. You may want to reduce the amount of rosemary simple syrup and maple syrup added as well to balance the flavors.

Overhead view of a bourbon rosemary cocktail with iced, garnished with fresh rosemary, sitting on a black, round metal tray.

Expert Tips

  • Don’t let the syrup boil. When making the rosemary syrup, you want to maintain a gentle simmer. Adjust the heat accordingly. If you boil the syrup, the water will evaporate too quickly, leaving a syrup that is too thick.
  • Store leftover syrup in the fridge. If you have any extra syrup, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a couple weeks.

More recipes like this

  • Espresso Martini Mocktail
  • Strawberry Bellini Recipe (with Prosecco)
  • Piña Colada With Coconut Milk
  • 12 Unique Cocktail Glasses
Print

📖 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A bourbon rosemary cocktail, garnished with fresh rosemary, with a dark wooden background.

Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail


★★★

3 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cocktails 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This bourbon rosemary cocktail is the perfect cocktail to enjoy while sitting around a fireplace with family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Rosemary Simple Syrup:
    • ⅓ cup fresh rosemary
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup water
  • Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail:
    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 2 oz rosemary simple syrup
    • 2 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
    • 4 teaspoons maple syrup
    • 6 oz club soda
    • handful of ice

Instructions

  1. Make the rosemary simple syrup: Heat the rosemary, sugar and water on a saucepan over medium to high heat, stirring occasionally. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to gently simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse. Remove the syrup from the stove and strain out the rosemary herbs. Let the syrup cool for 5 minutes before mixing it into your cocktail.
  2. Make the bourbon rosemary cocktail: Add the bourbon, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, maple syrup and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for about 5-7 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted. Strain the cocktail into a glass prepped with fresh ice. Top off with the club soda and serve immediately. Enjoy responsibly!

Notes

  • Don’t let the syrup boil. Bring the rosemary syrup to a simmer, not a boil. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • Store leftover syrup in the fridge. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 201
  • Sugar: 33.5g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35.7g
  • Fiber: 0.2g
  • Protein: 0.2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: bourbon cocktails, rosemary cocktails, fall cocktails, winter cocktails

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Cocktails

  • 5 Unique Earl Grey Cocktails
  • Pineapple Orange Margarita
  • Agua De Valencia
  • Pineapple Mimosa

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheryl

    January 03, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    Well, this didn’t really work out for me! The recipe doesn’t make enough syrup for the recipe. It makes about 1/2 of what is called for. Then, when you put it into the ice, it coagulates into a taffy-like ball! What did I do wrong here? Because it tastes good, but I left some of the sugary/rosemary goodness at the bottom of the cocktail shaker (in a lump!)

    ★★★

    Reply
    • The Littlest Crumb

      January 03, 2022 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Sheryl, sorry it didn’t turn out for you! It sounds like too much water evaporated from the syrup. There should be enough syrup for the cocktail (if not a teeny bit more) — if there isn’t, it is because the syrup boiled down too thick. This can happen if the syrup is heated for too long or at too high a temperature. Simple syrup should have a runny, almost watery consistency (not thick like how chocolate sauce or maple syrup is). To solve this, reduce the heat you are using on your stove significantly — low to medium if needed. Make sure it doesn’t boil AT ALL. Just a very very very tiny simmer — teeny tiny bubbles at most. Make sure total time on the stovetop is no more than 10 minutes. If you see the syrup start to thicken up — remove it immediately. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Carol

    November 05, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    Beautiful photography, I know what I'll be drinking this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

Trending

  • Billy Miner Pie Recipe
  • RumChata French Toast
  • Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
  • Iced Oat Milk Latte

Fall Favorites

  • Salted Caramel Macchiato
  • Oreo Hot Chocolate (Dunkin Donuts Copycat)
  • Strawberry Apple Crisp
  • Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Holiday Cocktails

  • Baileys Hot Chocolate
  • Pumpkin RumChata Martini
  • Bourbon Cherry Cocktail
  • Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail

Footer

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Newsletter

  • Subscribe for the latest recipes.

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The Littlest Crumb