Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Stay cool this summer with a blackberry bourbon smash in hand! You’ll just love how that sweet, smooth bourbon gets a refreshing makeover from those tart blackberries, fresh mint, lemon and bubbly club soda topping. Now let’s find a comfortable seat on the patio with good company by your side and sip this fruity bourbon cocktail all summer long.

Course Beverages

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Steeping Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings drink

Calories 200kcal

Author Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
Muddler
Jigger or small measuring cup
Hawthorne or cocktail strainer

Ingredients

Blackberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1 cup blackberries

Blackberry Bourbon Smash

½ lemon cut into wedges
¼ cup blackberries
1 ounce blackberry simple syrup
8-10 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces bourbon
Ice
Splash of chilled club soda
Fresh mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

Blackberry Simple Syrup

Combine the water, white sugar and blackberries in a small saucepan. Over medium-high heat, bring to a simmer and then a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
Once the mixture boils and the sugar dissolves, turn off the heat. Use a potato masher or fork to break down the blackberries. Let the mixture steep for at least 15 minutes and up to an hour.
Place a bowl or measuring cup under a fine-mesh sieve or strainer. Strain the blackberries from the liquid and discard the solids. The liquid is your simple syrup. Allow to cool and then store in a sterile, airtight container in the refrigerator.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Add the lemon wedges cut-side up, blackberries and blackberry simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the berries and lemon wedges break down. Add the mint leaves and lightly muddle a few times. Don't overwork the mint, or it can turn bitter — just a few twists will do.
Pour in the bourbon and add a handful of ice. Secure the cocktail shaker top and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
Replace the cocktail shaker top with the Hawthorne strainer. Strain the drink into an ice-filled double old fashioned glass.
Top with the chilled club soda. Stir gently to combine. Place the mint sprig in the palm of one hand and quickly clap over it with the other hand and place it on the side of the glass. This releases the mint’s fragrance to make for an even more delightful drinking experience. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

12-serving pitcher: Add 6 lemons cut into wedges, 3 cups blackberries and 1 ½ cups blackberry simple syrup to a large pitcher. (One batch of the simple syrup should give you 1 ½ cups). Muddle until the berries and lemon wedges break down. Add the leaves from 12 mint sprigs and lightly muddle. Stir in 3 cups bourbon. You can cover and refrigerate for a few hours, though the mint may discolor and you may want to replace it with fresh mint for serving. Right before serving, gently stir in ¾ cup club soda. If you have trouble reaching the bottom of the pitcher, you can muddle everything in a bowl and then pour the muddled contents into the pitcher.

The syrup will last two to three weeks if stored properly. When it turns cloudy, it's time for a new batch.
You can use fresh or frozen blackberries for both the syrup and drink. For the syrup, you don't need to thaw the blackberries, but you'll want to thaw them for the drink.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition