I left my heart in Utah. Which makes it convenient since that’s where I’ve returned to roost.
This great state had some pretty great visitors this past weekend thanks to the bloggers who visited Park City for the third annual Evo Conference aka The Evolution of Women in Social Media. Plenty of bloggers, lots of info and some great sponsor suites.
Which is where I fell in love with this little baby.
The ultimate attraction: it’s ingredients were all Utah locals. And I love local.
If you’ve never been to a conference before, most conferences feature sponsor suites where big name companies connect with the attendees to become familiar with their products. And there’s usually prizes and food. Could there be any more gravitational pull for a food blogger than that?
My suite-going partners thought I’d gone off the deep end when after traipsing the 7 floors of suites, we reached the eBay Green Team room which featured locally sourced Utah products including crave-worthy local popcorn from Pop Art and even my friend Brooke of Cosmo Hippie Chef as the hostess with the mostess.
There was some great eBay product and a fun Pinterest contest, but what really pulled me in were the folks from Slide Ridge Honey—a local honey producer from Mendon, Utah—and their recipe for Whiskey Lemonade, that night’s refreshing beverage being served to attendees.
As my friends swooped through the suite, I cornered Slide Ridge’s Martin James and his dashing cowboy hat. My intent: to search out exactly what the secret was for this delicious concoction of sweet whiskey love. I’m a curious sort. And I knew you’d want to know.
So what was the secret? A simple syrup made of honey and water that resulted in a much smoother, less sugary-induced-hang-over-in-2-sips, going against the Martha grain. I likey likey already.
And the whiskey component? None other than Park City’s locally brewed High West Whiskey.
They served it with lime on the side, I served it with lemon. They didn’t include herbs, I thought it would add a touch of complexity. Another switch-up: I added a splash of soda.
Looking for your own ideas for variety? Here’s some suggestions to build upon:
- This recipe could easily be adapted as a punch to serve a bunch of your friendlies
- Serve it as a mocktail refresher by omitting the booze.
- Take advantage of its versatility: make it your signature drink with your favorite steeped herb: basil, rosemary, lavendar, mint. Whatever complements honey.
I’ll be sharing my top tips from the Evo Conference on this week’s Friday Faves. SEO, Pinterest and my favorite tweets and cutest pics.
Until then, bottoms up cowboys!
- ½ cup raw honey
- ½ cup water
- 1-2 stems of your favorite herb (basil, rosemary, lavendar or mint) with a few leaves reserved for garnish
- ¼ cup lemonade
- 1 shot good whiskey
- ¼ cup soda
- fresh lemon slices to garnish
- In a small saucepan, bring water and honey to a boil. Reduce heat, add an herbal sprig and simmer for 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Let cool.
- Fill a short glass with ice and add one shot of whiskey. Add lemonade, soda and ½ to 1 teaspoon of honey simple syrup or to taste. Add reserved herb and lemon garnish and serve.
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I sort of have a sore throat – so I’ll consider this my medicine 🙂
looks awesome, Heidi!
And I wish I could have gone to EVO!
oh yes, you did just revamp one of my favorite cocktails, the whiskey sour. what a great idea, to substitute the sugar for honey. Making this soon! Maybe with a sprig of mint. That sounds delicious.
Glad to hear that EVO was fabulous, and I can’t wait to hear more!
Oh my goodness — these photos are stunning. And the lemonade sounds amazing. 🙂
So glad you had a great time at EVO!
Excellent recipe. Could I borrow the basic ingredients to venture a more “greek” version? Thanks.
That was seriously a good drink. Can’t wait to try this variation!
These flavors (honey, lemon, whiskey) sound so great together, I can actually quite clearly imagine the taste – the brightness of lemon balanced by the earthiness of whiskey, all rounded off by the natural sweetness of honey. This sounds like an amazing summer drink — can’t wait to try it!
And you didn’t even invite me over for drinks…….
Love the addition of herb and a splash of soda. I’m assigning you beverages when we plan our concert get together.
Drooling with envy till this baby pops out… Some of my favorite people in that eBay Green Team room.
This is so pretty, I love the honey simple syrup – must try!
Oh my, what a fun little cocktail and I am totally digging the fact that all of the ingredients our Utah natives. The styling in these photos…absolutely gorgeous. I have told you that you are one talented lady, right?
You had me at whiskey…!
I was so bummed I didn’t get a chance to try this cocktail at evo, and you just made it all ok!! can’t wait to try this at home. i’ll even make it with the bottle of whiskey we got from High West last time we were in Park City 🙂
This looks so refreshing. So glad you had a great time at Evo…I loved following along, and hope to be there next year. PS – these photos are stunningly gorgeous!
This looks so summery and delicious – love the ingredients!
This looks so.good. After not liking honey for years, I just started buying local honey, and actually like it now! Imagine that. [Also, my kids have been so naughty this week – this drink might be my night time therapy. 😉 ]
I think the secret to good honey is investing in the Raw honey. It doesn’t crystallize as quickly when exposed to air. More expensive but yummy. And def treat yourself, you’re kids will thank you.
What a refreshing summer drink. Evo sounds like it was so much fun!
Heidi, this looks so refreshing… I’m so wishing I could reach in and take sip. (gulp!) The photos are stunning and your description…. captivating as usual. Why do you live so far away?! Utah sure does sound like a great place to roost, just wish it was a hop, skip and a jump away. Oh well… I’ll just have to enjoy you via the wonders of the internet! xo
1. Did I mention how much I loved meeting you, Heidi! SO much!
2. While we were all schmoozing around the suite, you were thinking ahead. I like that.
3. I can’t wait to drink these all over again. Thanks for sharing the delicious recipe although it won’t be the same without you, friend!
xo
Wow, it looks beautiful…your photos are what pulled me in!!
Nice Heidi! You totally beat me to posting this recipe-STINKER! BUT, glad you loved it so much (I actually think my girl Chantelle came up with the idea). It was a blast seeing you and meeting Kelly (mountainmamacooks, finally!) Thanks for the shout out. Hope we hang again soon, or work together on something fab.
I fully intended to attend EVO this year since it is practically in my back yard, but work intervened. Next year! For sure!
I love High West Whiskey! We should encourage such endeavors in PC….
sounds quite delicious! kind of a summer toddy!
This is SO my kind of drink, Heidi! I’d like five of them, please.
HI, like the recipe and want to make it. Do you use lemonade or lemon juice? I can only fine lemonade made with high fructose corn syrup here.
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Precisely how long did it require you to write “Whiskey Lemonade Recipe with Honey Simple Syrup | foodiecrush”?
It has loads of very good details. Thanks -Merissa
Heidi, this drink is incredible! My taste buds are all over the place now :). Knew I had to make it the moment I saw this post and my boyfriend loved this one too. For extra pungency I used peach honey and I loved it. Forget summer lemonades, I’m gonna stick to your whiskey lemonade!
wow.. lime drink is best for wedding ceremony..
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I was wondering what kind of soda did you use?
I used club soda.
Which High West whiskey did they use? Was is the Double Rye or Rendezvous Rye?
It was the Rendezvous Rye. Yum.
You mentioned this could be served as a punch. Can you give me the recipe/proportions for a punch?
This looks so refreshing! Thanks Heidi!
Refreshing I had to try this with a few real life twist, but you had me at honey simple syrupy 🙂
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/2016/08/06/best-lemonade-ever/
Glad you liked it.
The lemonade component is,,,,,,,,,,lemonade?
Wow, ok
Soda? Soda water?
Yes, fizzy soda water, unflavored for the bubbles 🙂 Enjoy Reen!