The Gold Rush is a modern classic — bourbon, honey, and lemon in perfect balance. This 5-gallon keg version doubles down on lemon with both Top Hat Lemonade Concentrate and fresh-pressed lemon juice, building a bright, layered sour that holds beautifully through long service on N₂.
Bourbon
Honey
Lemon Sour
5-Gal Keg
Prep 5 m
Total 10 m
Yield 5-Gal Keg (~106 servings)
Gas N₂
Honey and lemon are one of the most stable flavor pairings in a keg batch — they hold together well under refrigeration and taste just as clean on the last pour as the first. The Gold Rush earns its place on any upscale bar or event menu.
Batch Method
- Add 5 liters Bourbon to a clean 5-gallon Cornelius keg.
- Add 3 qts Top Hat Lemonade Concentrate.
- Add 48 oz fresh lemon juice.
- Add 48 oz honey simple syrup.
- Add 8 qts cold filtered water.
- Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
- Pressurize with N₂. See instructions below.
- Refrigerate minimum 12 hours before first service.
- Serve ~6 oz over ice. Garnish with sliced, dehydrated, or preserved lemon.
- Reshake twice daily to re-integrate ingredients.
Pro move: Make your honey simple syrup at a 1:1 ratio (equal parts honey and hot water, stir until dissolved, chill before using). Using raw honey adds floral complexity — wildflower or clover both work great in this batch.
🥂 N₂ Pressurization — Non-Carbonated Cocktail
- Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
- Connect gray/silver Cornelius "gas in" connector to GAS IN plug on keg lid.
- Set N₂ regulator to 12–15 psi.
- Pull up pressure release ring 3 times quickly to cycle gas through keg.
- Test flow. Reduce to 10–12 psi if pouring too fast.
- Reshake twice daily before service to re-integrate all ingredients.
Full keg gas instructions: Keg Gas Instructions →
Top Hat Provisions
Make Better Drinks.
🥃Bourbon · honey · lemon — a modern classic
🥂N₂ pressurized — non-carbonated draft
✨90-day shelf life · 106 servings per keg