Your perfect summer bourbon cocktail is here, and it's a tasty one! With its bright lemon and fresh mint, this blueberry bourbon smash is one refreshing sipper for those warm patio nights.

When most people think of bourbon, they imagine cozy cocktails made for chilly weather. And I get it. My apple cider old fashioned and chai-cranberry bourbon smash are perfect for those occasions.
But just because the summer months hit doesn't mean we have to abandon our favorite liquor. With those sweet, caramel-like notes in bourbon, it's actually perfect with all sorts of fruit. If a fruity cocktail doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does.
Enter this blueberry bourbon cocktail. Summer's juicy, plump blueberries give this bourbon cocktail a seasonal twist that makes it perfect for even the hottest nights. If you gravitate toward bourbon only when a chill hits the air, take one sip of this fresh blueberry cocktail, and I guarantee you'll reach for this delicious liquor all year long.
Related: For more favorite bourbon cocktails, try my classic Boston sour and blackberry smash.
Ingredients
Before we start mixing, let's chat ingredients. To make this blueberry bourbon smash, we need bourbon, simple syrup, fresh blueberries, fresh mint, lemon juice and an optional club soda topping.
Don't like bourbon? Feel free to use vodka, rum or tequila. All three make for delicious alternatives.
Heck, don't feel like you have to stop there with your customizations. Get creative and substitute basil, thyme or rosemary for mint. Go half and half with blueberries and raspberries, or try ginger beer or ginger ale rather than club soda for a spice kick.
That's what I love about cocktail making. Once you have the right proportion of ingredients, you can make all sorts of substitutions for your own unique sipper. That said, this cocktail is seriously delicious as written, so you can't go wrong sticking to the recipe either.
*Wink, wink*
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we’ve settled on our ingredients, let’s start mixing! We throw our fresh blueberries, lemon and mint into a cocktail shaker and muddle until the berries and lemon break down. If you enjoy making cocktails at home, a muddler is worth the purchase, but a sturdy wooden spoon can also take care of the job.
Once our muddled ingredients are nice and juicy, we add our simple syrup, bourbon and ice and give it a good shake. We now replace the shaker top with a cocktail strainer, which ensures our muddled berries and lemon don’t get in the way, and pour into ice-filled glasses.
I love garnishing this blueberry cocktail with a fresh mint sprig, but before you do, place it in the palm of your hand and quickly clap your other hand on top. This releases that minty fragrance for an even more delightful drinking experience.
And that’s it! Just like that, we’re ready to sip this night away.
Perfect Pairing
This fresh blueberry cocktail and my mixed berry-custard pie make the perfect match. The caramelized bourbon notes go together with the graham cracker crust while we get berries upon berries for a perfect cocktail and dessert harmony.
When only a refreshing cocktail made with seasonal fruit will do, I hope you try this blueberry bourbon smash.
Cheers!
Looking for More Summer Cocktails?
- Strawberry-mint bourbon smash (by the Casual Foodist)
- Italian margarita
- Coconut-watermelon mojito
- Strawberry mint julep
- Cherry bourbon smash
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📖 Recipe
Blueberry Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or jar with solid lid
- Muddler
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- ½ lemon cut into wedges
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce simple syrup homemade or store-bought
- Ice
- Club soda for topping, optional
- Mint sprig for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the lemon wedges and blueberries to a cocktail shaker and place the mint leaves on top. Muddle until the blueberries and lemon wedges break down.
- Pour in the bourbon and simple syrup and add in a handful of ice. Put the top on and shake until cold, about 15-30 seconds.
- Replace the cocktail shaker top with a cocktail strainer and pour into ice-filled glasses. If desired, top with club soda and gently stir. Place a mint sprig in the palm of your hand and quickly clap the sprig with your other hand to release its fragrance and garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
- If making your own simple syrup, add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Allow to cool. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several weeks.
- The club soda gives it more of a spritzer feel if you want something light and bubbly for the summer, but for a strong blueberry and bourbon flavor, skip the club soda.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Irina says
OMG! I made this bourbon cocktail in the middle of the day: I could not wait for tonight... It is the best! I am going to repeat this experience. 🙂
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Haha, I've definitely had those days! So it helped you relax.
maryanne says
It looks and sounds so festive! This will be my Friday night reward for getting through the week!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'll cheers to that!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I will definitely have one on a hot evening! Cheers!:))
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
And cheers to you!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Incredibly delicious. I have to make this soon!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You will love it!
Sunrita says
Such a beautiful looking drink. Got all the ingredients, making it in a day or two.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you love it, Sunrita!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
What a perfect timing for this beverage. Totally love all the ingredients in it. Definiltely making this for july 4th .
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope it was a hit for the 4th!
veenaazmanov says
I am drooling with the thought of this yummy combination of lemon and blueberries. Super refreshing drink for sure. I love all of it.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope you got a chance to try it!
Lizet Bowen says
I love having pretty and delicious drinks with my hubby these summer nights. Good memories and a great way to try new flavors.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
We're the exact same way!
Kay says
This looks like the perfect bourbon summer cocktail, blueberries, lemon and mint just gives you amazing flavours giving the summer chill vibes while sitting in the garden 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You are so welcome!
Swathi says
Blueberry Bourbon smash looks yum. perfect treat for July 4th . I would love to make this.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do! I plan on whipping up some for the 4th as well.
Alison says
This is so delicious and refreshing! Love the blueberries!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Alison!
Jamie says
This is such a delicious drink! I love the flavor of blueberry and mint together during the summer.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yay! Happy to hear you enjoyed.
Emily Liao says
This bourbon smash had such delicious flavors! The blue berry and mint were perfect touches.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad you enjoyed!
Romina says
So pretty and refreshing! These are perfect for summer.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Totally agree -- cheers!
Andrea Metlika says
This sounds lovely. I am making these asap!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope you love it!