The Gold Rush cocktail, a bourbon-based drink, originated in 2000 at Milk & Honey bar in New York City through a happy accident involving T.J. Siegal. While enjoying his bourbon sour, Siegal suggested a substitution of honey syrup, leading to the drink's creation. Milk & Honey, led by influential bartender Sasha Petraske, became a cornerstone of the early 2000s craft cocktail movement before its closure. The drink symbolizes innovation in mixology, reflecting both the creativity of bartenders and the unexpected outcomes inherent in cocktail crafting.
"We don't make mistakes, we have happy accidents." This phrase embodies the serendipitous creation of the Gold Rush cocktail, born from a spontaneous substitution at Milk & Honey.
Sasha Petraske, the owner of Milk & Honey, played a pivotal role in the cocktail movement, fostering innovative drinks during his time, despite his passing in 2015.
T.J. Siegal created the Gold Rush by replacing simple syrup with a honey-based syrup, which he proposed while enjoying his regular bourbon sour at the bar.
In a 2024 interview, Siegal reflected on the drink's name, saying it evokes imagery of a golden color and a rush of excitement, connecting both to its essence.
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