Get ready for an autumn treat with this simple Blackberry Bourbon Smash recipe! It's a refreshing mix of bourbon, blackberries, lemon juice, sugar and mint.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
197
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 4-6 fresh mint leaves
- 6 fresh blackberries
- Mint sprig and 2 blackberries - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Muddler
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Chill Glass: Stir some ice into your old fashioned glass to make sure it is chilled.
- Prep Shaker: Place 6 fresh blackberries and ¾ oz simple syrup into your cocktail shaker.
- Muddle: Use a muddler to crush the blackberries and mix them with the syrup.
- Add Mint: Put 4-6 fresh mint leaves into the shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Add 1 oz lemon juice.
- Add Bourbon: Pour 2 oz Bourbon into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into your old fashioned glass over fresh ice. the ice filled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a mint sprig (smack it between your hands before) and 2 blackberries. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: You can use rye whiskey or dark rum if you don't have bourbon. Both will change the flavor profile slightly but still make a delicious drink.
- Simple Syrup: Honey or agave nectar can be used as a substitute for simple syrup. They both add a different sweetness that works well with this cocktail.
- Blackberries: Raspberries or blueberries can be used instead of blackberries. Just make sure to muddle them well to extract their juices.
Making a Pitcher of Blackberry Bourbon Smash:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of simple syrup, 8 oz of lemon juice, around 48 mint leaves, and about 48 blackberries.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, muddle the blackberries with the simple syrup. Then, add the bourbon, mint leaves (clap them in your hands to release the aroma), and lemon juice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands that mimic bourbon flavor quite well are available.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Simple Syrup Substitute: Ensure your syrup is made with sugar, processed without using bone char, which isn't vegan. Agave nectar is a safe bet and adds flavor to the drink.
What is a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?
A Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a bourbon-based cocktail made of fresh blackberries, mint leaves, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a generous pour of bourbon. This drink is not complicated to make; it only requires muddling the blackberries before adding the remaining ingredients and shaking well. The result is a refreshing and flavorful cocktail that perfectly balances the blackberries’ sweetness with the bourbon’s warmth. It’s a unique twist on the classic whiskey smash cocktail.
What is a Blackberry Bourbon Smash made of – The ingredients
If you’re making a Blackberry Bourbon Smash, here’s what you’ll need:
- Blackberries add a sweet and slightly tart flavor to the cocktail, enhancing its overall taste.
- Bourbon: This is the main alcoholic component of the drink. It provides a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Mint leaves: Mint leaves are used for their refreshing and cooling effect, which balances out the sweetness of the blackberries and bourbon.
- Lemon juice: The acidity from the lemon juice helps to cut through the sweetness of the other ingredients, providing a balanced flavor profile.
- Simple syrup: This is used to sweeten the cocktail. It’s a mixture of sugar and water boiled down until the sugar dissolves.
