If you like your drinks sweet, tart, and boozy, youโve hit the flavor trifecta with this Blackberry Bourbon Smash recipe. Made with just 5 simple ingredients in less than 5 minutes, this deliciously slurpable blackberry cocktail is certain to become a favorite.
Summer might be singing her swan song for the year, but Iโm not ready to let go of the sunshine just yet. Enter these ridiculously crave-worthy blackberry drinks! Brimming with late summer fruit and boasting a quasi-Arnold Palmer vibe, my bourbon blackberry lemonade smash cocktails are liquid rays of light.
Before the last days of summer slip through your fingers, I wholeheartedly recommend whipping up a round of these blackberry cocktails and enjoying them al fresco. Snap a few photos of your homemade Happy Hour while youโre at it (and tag me if you go social!).
When the cold dark nights of January make you shiver and you were sipping on a smoked old-fashioned, you can look back and remember the warmth of bourbon mixed with berries and sunshine. Then, promptly head to your freezer to pull out a bag of blackberries โ one sip of this whiskey blackberry smash will bring you right back to a sunny state of mind!
โญ Why Youโll Love This Bourbon Blackberry Smash Recipe
Still wondering if these blackberry cocktails are for you? Let me sing their praises a little more. The recipe for this delectably fruity whiskey libation is:
- Quick & Easy - Simply pour, smash, shake, and strain. Happy Hour has arrived!
- Made With Only 5 Ingredients - This blackberry drink might be bursting at the seams with juicy berry-lemon goodness, but you only need a handful of ingredients to make it.
- Perfectly Refreshing - My blackberry bourbon lemonade slides down as easy as sweet tea on a swinging porch.
๐ดIngredients
As promised, you only need a few ingredients to make this blackberry smash cocktail:
- Blackberry Simple Syrup - If youโre making your own, you only need sugar, water, and blackberries.
- Fresh Mint - A hint of fresh herbaceousness takes this blackberry whiskey smash from tasty to tantalizing.
- Lemon - With so few ingredients, itโs essential to use the best. Opt for fresh lemons, and be sure to roll them firmly on the counter for about 10-15 seconds before slicing them open to get the most juice possible.
- Blackberries - While I prefer using fresh berries so I have a pretty garnish at the ready, feel free to use frozen ones instead.
- Bourbon - I tend to reach for Basil Hayden, but youโre welcome to use any bourbon that falls in your price range.
โฒ๏ธ Substitutions & Variations
As much as I think youโre going to fall head over heels for this blackberry bourbon cocktail, I wonโt be offended if you tweak it to fit your needs! Here are some fun variations to consider:
- Blackberry Smash Mocktail - Swig with enthusiasm, without worrying about the hangover. Simply swap in your favorite NA Bourbon to make a tipple even the teens can enjoy!
- Use Different Fruit - Try making a blueberry bourbon smash, cherry bourbon smash, or raspberry bourbon smash using the cleaned and pitted berries of your choice.
- Swap Your Spirit - While I love how bourbon tastes in these smash cocktails, I know itโs not for everyone. Feel free to use the spirit of your choice (e.g. vodka or gin).
๐ How to Make a Smash Cocktail: Step-by-Step Instructions
Youโll be sipping on a bourbon blackberry smash before you know it! Hereโs how:
Step 1: Muddle. Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker and gently muddle.
Step 2: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice.
Step 3: Garnish with a fresh blackberry, a lemon wedge, and a sprig of mint before enjoying. Cheers!
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณ Expert Tips
- Chill your glasses. Here in sunny SoCal, it stays pretty warm through the end of October. Make sure the warmth doesnโt sap your blackberry smash of its charms by starting with a frozen rocks glass.
- Shake it like you mean it. You know how bartenders at swanky spots shake their cocktails like theyโre putting on a show? Do that. The act of shaking both chills the contents of the shaker and also helps to aerate the cocktail, resulting in an extra-satisfying mouthfeel.
- Shortcut hack. Forgot to make blackberry simple syrup? Take a spoonful of blackberry jam and thin it out with hot water, then let it chill before using.
Recipe FAQs
The defining feature of a smash is the muddled ingredients. These can vary widely but often include fresh herbs (such as mint or basil), lemon wedges, fruits (like berries, citrus, or peaches), and sometimes even spices or sugar. Muddling gently crushes and combines these ingredients, unlocking their flavors for a refreshing cocktail in a serving glass.ย
The blackberry simple syrup will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. If you have your cocktails pre-assembled, I suggest pouring them into popsicle molds for a frosty, boozy treat.
Omit the bourbon and boost the flavor with additional fresh lime juice or a splash of non-alcoholic ginger beer. Add a bit of soda water for some fizz, and garnish with fresh mint sprig and 2-3 blackberries for a great non-alcoholic drink option at your next gathering.ย
Start with fresh, sweet blackberries and adjust sweetness using maple syrup or blackberry syrup that you can add to this delicious cocktail during blackberry season. Taste as you go, and remember you can always balance with fresh lemon or lime juice for acidity.
For the best flavor, choose a high-quality bourbon such as Buffalo Trace or Kentucky bourbon. However, any favorite bourbon or classic whiskey will do, depending on your preference. They will be great options to make your whiskey lovers an old fashioned any night of the week!ย
Absolutely! While juicy Oregon blackberries are ideal, you can experiment with other fresh fruits. Just remember to adjust the level of sweetness accordingly.
More Fruity Bourbon Cocktails Youโll Love
If you try the recipe for this Blackberry Bourbon Smash, please leave a ๐ review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! ๐ง
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Serving Glass
Ingredients
- ยพ ounce Blackberry simple syrup
- 8 Fresh mint leaves
- 3 Lemon wedges
- Fresh blackberries
- 2 ounces Bourbon
- Garnish with mint, lemon and blackberries
Instructions
- Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker and gently muddle.ยพ ounce Blackberry simple syrup, 8 Fresh mint leaves, 3 Lemon wedges, Fresh blackberries, 2 ounces Bourbon
- Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice.
- Garnished with a fresh blackberry, lemon wedge and mint before enjoying!Garnish with mint, lemon and blackberries
Video
Notes
- Chill your glasses. Here in sunny SoCal, it stays pretty warm through the end of October. Make sure the warmth doesnโt sap your blackberry smash of its charms by starting with a frozen rocks glass.
- Shake it like you mean it. You know how bartenders at swanky spots shake their cocktails like theyโre putting on a show? Do that. The act of shaking both chills the contents of the shaker and also helps to aerate the cocktail, resulting in an extra-satisfying mouthfeel.
- Shortcut hack. Forgot to make blackberry simple syrup? Take a spoonful of blackberry jam and thin it out with hot water, then let it chill before using.
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