Fresh blackberries are perfect additions for this bubbly Blackberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail. It's a refreshing cocktail made with juicy blackberries, fresh lime and mint, and soda water that's easy to drink and ideal on a hot summer day!
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Jump to:
- The Best Fruity Summer Cocktail!
- What is a smash cocktail?
- Ingredients for this Fruity Cocktail
- How to Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
- Blackberry Smash Pitcher for a Crowd
- Variations and Pro Tips
- Make Ahead Instructions
- What Is the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?
- Equipment I Used
- Recipe FAQs
- More Fruity Cocktails
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash
The Best Fruity Summer Cocktail!
Smash cocktails (and mocktails) are my summer go-to! They're laid-back, easy drinks to make and sip on, especially with all this gorgeous summer fruit we have this year. The fresh ingredients really make these drinks sing!
Smashes are considered some of the best cocktails of the season, at least in my house. What's better for entertaining guests in the summer than an easy delicious cocktail mixed together with some of summer's best fruits? The popularity of last summer's hits, the Strawberry Gin Smash and Blueberry Moscow Mule, don't lie, y'all.
This blackberry cocktail is full of sweet and tart fruit balanced out with smooth bourbon and a splash of club soda. We also have instructions for a pitcher of blackberry smash, perfect for intimate summer parties.
What is a smash cocktail?
Smashes like bourbon smash cocktails are derived from the mint julep, a once elite Southern staple known for its elaborate preparation by mixologists like Cato Alexander, Jasper Crouch, and John Dabney. The classic mint julep was famous for its towering shaved ice in silver cups, kentucky bourbon cocktails adorned with seasonal fruits and blossoms.
A smash is a simpler version, typically made with a sweetener, liquor (vodka, gin, bourbon, etc.), fresh herbs, seasonal fruit, ice, and water. Modern smashes often include carbonated drinks and keep the fruit and herbs in the glass, as in this blackberry bourbon smash recipe.
Ingredients for this Fruity Cocktail
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Bourbon Whiskey - use your favorite bourbon for this recipe. Bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
- Fresh Blackberries - you can use frozen as well, but thaw them before use.
- Lime Juice - lemon juice can be used if you like the flavor more.
- Granulated Sugar - you could also make a simple syrup instead!
- Club Soda - you could also use ginger beer, which has a very strong spicy ginger kick.
- Fresh Mint Leaves - if you don't like mint, swap for another flavorful summer herb like basil!
How to Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
In a serving glass with a sturdy, flat bottom, muddle together a squeeze of lime juice, fresh or frozen blackberries, a sprig of fresh mint, and granulated sugar.
Pour in the ice, bourbon, and club soda. Give a stir and you're done!
I know some people like to use simple syrup but I find the grit of the sugar helps release the oils and juices from the mint leaves and the fresh berries, and it's one less step to do. I think of smashes as quick and easy drinks to make, so the less steps the better.
Blackberry Smash Pitcher for a Crowd
2 cups fresh (or frozen) blackberries.
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
About ⅓ cup of lime or lemon juice
¼ granulated sugar OR simple syrup. In this case, I'd go with the simple syrup so the sweetness can be fully incorporated throughout the drink.
2 cups of bourbon
2+ cups of club soda or ginger ale
Crushed Ice
Muddle the blackberries, mint, and lime juice (and granulated sugar, if using instead of the simple syrup) at the bottom of your pitcher, then use a wooden spoon or long cocktail spoon to mix the simple syrup (if using), bourbon, club soda, and ice in the pitcher until nice and cold.
Serve immediately in pretty serving glasses!
Variations and Pro Tips
Other sweeteners - if you're looking for something without the granulated sugar, try maple syrup or a little agave nectar.
Make Ahead Instructions
This is great for a pitcher that you'll have ready! Mix in everything but the ice and club soda, then stir them in before serving.
What Is the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?
Bourbon, a specific kind of American whiskey, must contain a minimum of 51% corn and is mainly linked to Kentucky, although it can be made anywhere across the United States. It is matured in new, charred oak casks, which gives a sweet, smooth taste with hints of caramel and vanilla.
In contrast, whiskey is a more general term that can be crafted from different grains such as barley, rye, wheat, and corn, and is produced globally, with notable types including Scotch and Irish whiskey. The maturation process for whiskey can differ significantly, often utilizing previously used barrels, resulting in a diverse array of flavors ranging from spicy and peppery to smoky and fruity.
Equipment I Used
- Muddler
- Double Old Fashioned Glass
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can! Thaw them before using.
I personally love Maker's Mark, it's my go to! But you should visit this article on the best bourbon for mixing cocktails to learn more about bourbon flavor profiles to choose which one would fit best.
More Fruity Cocktails
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Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- 4 sprigs fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Juice of one lime, about 1 tbsp
- 2 ounces Kentucky bourbon, or whiskey of choice
- Crushed ice
- Club Soda , or Ginger Ale
Instructions
- In the bottom of your rocks glass (or a cocktail shaker), use a cocktail muddler to muddle the blackberries, mint, sugar, and lime juice together to dissolve the sugar, release the oils from the mint, and break up the blackberries.¼ cup fresh or frozen blackberries, 4 sprigs fresh mint, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, Juice of one lime
- Add the bourbon, crushed ice, and club soda to fill the glass. Gently stir with a spoon and serve cold.2 ounces Kentucky bourbon, Crushed ice, Club Soda
Recipe Notes
To Make a Pitcher of Blackberry Bourbon Smash
To make a nice pitcherful of your summer bourbon smash, you'll need...- 2 cups fresh (or frozen) blackberries, separated. You want to smash about 1 to 1.5 cups of the blackberries, and have some whole for the *a e s t h e t i c*
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- About ⅓ cup of lime or lemon juice
- ¼ granulated sugar OR simple syrup. In this case, I'd go with the simple syrup so the sweetness can be fully incorporated throughout the drink.
- 2 cups of bourbon
- 2+ cups of club soda or ginger ale
- Crushed Ice
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