Patio sipping is about to get even more delicious. Bursting with sweet cherry flavor, a punch of citrus and a kick of mint, this cherry bourbon smash is one of summer's best cocktails.
Toss the simple syrup, lemon wedges and cherries into a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the lemons and cherries break down. Add the mint and lightly muddle a few times just to release the mint leaves' oil and turn fragrant.
Add the bourbon and fill the shaker with a handful of ice. Place the top on the cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until cold, about 15-30 seconds.
Fill a rocks glass with ice and strain. If desired, top with club soda and gently stir. Take mint sprig and place in the palm of your hand, quickly clap your other hand on top to release the fragrance and garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
If using the cherry-infused bourbon, you don't need to muddle fresh cherries as well. It has tons of fresh-cherry flavor.
If making your own simple syrup, simmer the 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar dissolves, remove from heat. You can also use my cherry simple syrup for an extra fruity boost.
When pitting cherries, be sure to cover your clothes with an old towel or shirt you don't mind staining with cherry juice.
If you don't have a muddler, the bottom of a kitchen ladle or similar utensil does the job.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.