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Home » Drinks » Cocktails » Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail

Published: Nov 4, 2021 · Modified: Jan 28, 2024 by Ali

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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.

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  • 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.

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📖 Recipe

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A bourbon rosemary cocktail, garnished with fresh rosemary, with a dark wooden background.

Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3 from 1 review

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

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

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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

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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 —>

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