Most cocktails announce themselves. The Corpsman doesn't. It earns your attention after the first sip — bright from the lemon, grounded by the honey, structured by the rosemary, with No. 86's oak and vanilla carrying underneath. Smoked sea salt on the rim ties it together.
This is No. 86's signature drink. Built to feel like a whiskey cocktail, not a mocktail.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz honey syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part warm water)
- 1 small sprig fresh rosemary
- 2–3 oz chilled sparkling water
- Smoked sea salt, for the rim
- Ice
- Rocks glass
How to Make It
- Prepare the rim: run a lemon wedge around the edge of your rocks glass, then press it into a small plate of smoked sea salt. Set aside.
- Add the rosemary sprig, honey syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker. Lightly muddle — press the rosemary once or twice to release the oils. Don't shred it.
- Add No. 86 and ice. Shake briefly — 8 seconds. You want it cold and combined, not over-diluted.
- Strain into the salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice.
- Top with chilled sparkling water. Stir once.
- Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Why This Drink Works
The ratio matters. Half an ounce of honey syrup — not more. Push it past that and the drink tips toward lemonade. At ½ oz, the honey adds body and rounds out the lemon without sweetening it. No. 86 stays in front.
The rosemary does two things: it adds a clean herbal edge that keeps the drink from being predictable, and it brings a quiet structural note that makes the whole build feel more intentional. Rosemary adds a clean herbal edge and a quiet nod to remembrance. That's enough.
The smoked sea salt rim is not decoration. It cuts the sweetness slightly and adds a savory depth that makes No. 86's natural smoke character more pronounced. If you skip it, the drink is still good. With it, it's something else.
The Name
A corpsman is a Navy medical specialist — the person who shows up when things are hard and holds the line. No. 86 is veteran-owned. The name needed to carry that without needing to explain itself. This one does.
Make It Your Own
Drier: Cut honey syrup to ¼ oz and add a dash of Angostura bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version). The drink sharpens considerably.
Smokier: Add 2–3 drops of liquid smoke to the shaker. The smoke becomes more present in the body of the drink, not just on the rim.
Stronger herb: Use a larger rosemary sprig and muddle slightly more firmly. The herbal note moves to the front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
No. Dried rosemary is too sharp and piney — it turns bitter when muddled. Fresh rosemary has a softer, more floral character that works with the honey and lemon. It's worth having on hand.
What's smoked sea salt and where do I find it?
Sea salt that's been cold-smoked over wood — it has a subtle smoke aroma and flavor without being overpowering. Available at most specialty grocery stores, Trader Joe's, or online. Maldon Smoked Sea Salt is the best option. Regular sea salt works as a substitute but you lose the depth on the rim.
Can I make a batch of The Corpsman?
For a batch: combine No. 86, lemon juice, and honey syrup at a 4:3:2 ratio (multiply as needed) and refrigerate without ice. Salt the rims and add sparkling water per glass at serve time. Rosemary should be fresh per glass, not batched — it goes bitter after more than an hour.
How do I make honey syrup?
Two parts honey to one part warm water, stirred until fully combined. Takes 60 seconds. Keeps in the fridge for two weeks. Don't use cold water — honey won't dissolve properly and you'll get a sticky mess at the bottom of your shaker.
This is the one.
No. 86's signature drink. Lemon, honey, rosemary, smoked salt. Same ritual — built differently.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.