The Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a delightful concoction that bursts with juicy blackberry flavor, balanced by the smooth warmth of bourbon and a touch of mint.
This refreshing cocktail captures the essence of summer.
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Why this Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe is a Keeper
This cocktail is deceptively simple to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal muddling. In fact, it’s the perfect drink to whip up for a relaxing evening on the porch or a backyard barbecue with friends.
- Minutes to Make: You’re going to love this refreshing drink. This bourbon smash is the perfect summer cocktail.
- Easy Ingredients: All easy, fresh ingredients.
- Adaptable: It is a simple cocktail to make and change up with your favorite seasonal fruit so you’ll love it. Try a splash of club soda or sparkling water. Like you would with a mint julep.
If you’re looking for more summer cocktail recipes, try these Coconut Mojito, Huckleberry Hooch and Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks.
What is the best bourbon to use?
Some sweet smooth Bourbons that might be good for fruity drinks include:
- Woodford Reserve: A popular bourbon with a caramel-honey finish.
- Garrison Brothers Honeydew Bourbon: A sweet bourbon.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: Certain batches, like the 66.6% abv batch, are very sweet.
But honestly, use your favorite bourbon will make a refreshing blackberry smash.
Ingredient Notes for this Whiskey Smash Cocktail
These ingredients are easy and perfect for a hot summer day. Top with a lemon wedge or strain the drink for even more strengthened flavors.
- Fresh Blackberries: You will need juicy fresh blackberries for this cocktail.
- Fresh Mint: A sprig of fresh mint to place on top of the drink.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Bourbon Cocktail
It is easy to drink and so refreshing and you can change it up in many different ways. There are no hard and fast rules. This blackberry bourbon smash is definitely a fun summer cocktail.
- Basil: replace the fresh lemon and mint with basil for the drink.
- Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice and simple syrup or lime juice for the bourbon smash cocktail.
- Sweetener: Make a simple syrup with a sugar substitute or maple syrup for this blackberry cocktail. Regular simple syrup in a cocktail makes the drink nice and sweet.
- Soda: Clubs soda or ginger beer can flavor to the drink
How to Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
With its beautiful color, delightful aroma, and burst of summery flavors, the Blackberry Bourbon Smash is sure to become your go-to drink for the warmer months. So, grab your favorite glass, gather your ingredients, and muddle your way to a refreshing and delicious summer cocktail!
These are the basic steps for making this blackberry bourbon smash recipe . Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. Please leave a comment if you like this recipe. We love reader interactions.
1. Break up the Berries
First, muddle the blackberries with the back of a spoon in a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
2. Mix in the Bourbon and Ginger Ale
Then add the bourbon whiskey and top with Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®. Garnish with remaining blackberries and lime wedge.
Fruity Cocktail Recipe FAQs
Of course, you can use different fresh fruit such as blueberries for this cocktail.
Yes, you can use a flavored vodka for a vodka smash cocktail. Try a nice blackberry vodka or blackberry gin or rye.
While not ideal, you can use frozen fruit to assemble this blackberries and bourbon cocktail. Use fresh or frozen blackberries will make a tasty blackberry bourbon smash cocktail.
Mix equal parts sugar and water and bring to a simmer you can add berries and muddle until the berries are cooked down.
Expert Tips for Making This Summer Cocktail Recipe
This drink is made with bourbon but if you do not like bourbon you can make many different variations, such as:
- Simple Syrup: You can amp up the flavor with this Blackberry Simple Syrup.
- Ice Cubes: Make a fancy ice cube, freeze some mint leaves inside the cube or make the ice cubes with blackberries.
- Mixer: Feel free to use club soda, ginger beer or a flavored seltzer for this delicious cocktail.
- Variation tip: Top with fresh berries, fresh mint and a lemon slice.
- Muddler: No muddler? You can use the handle of a wooden spoon to muddle the blackberry and mint drink.
- Pitcher: Multiply this recipe and serve in a large pitcher for a picnic or potluck. Serve this craft cocktail in a pretty old fashioned glass.
What to Serve with the Blackberry Bourbon Smash
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Blackberry Bourbon Smash
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Ingredients
- 6 Blackberries, 3 to smash and 3 reserved for garnish
- Ice
- 3 ounces Bourbon
- Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle the blackberries with the back of a spoon in a glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add bourbon and top with Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®.
- Garnish with remaining blackberries and lime wedge.
Christina’s Notes
- Simple Syrup: You can amp up the flavor with this Blackberry Simple Syrup.
- Ice Cubes: Make a fancy ice cube, freeze some mint leaves inside the cube or make the ice cubes with blackberries.
- Mixer: Feel free to use club soda, ginger beer or a flavored seltzer for this delicious cocktail.
- Variation tip: Top with fresh berries, fresh mint and a lemon slice.
- Muddler: No muddler? You can use the handle of a wooden spoon to muddle the blackberry and mint drink.
- Pitcher: Multiply this recipe and serve in a large pitcher for a picnic or potluck. Serve this craft cocktail in a pretty old fashioned glass.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
The perfect drink!
Thank you for this fun recipe! #client
This sounds like a perfect summer night drink! Pinning!