Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Okay this Blackberry Bourbon Smash is the cocktail of my dreams. It has everything: fresh muddled blackberries, bright mint, a squeeze of lemon, and good bourbon all shaken together into this gorgeous deep purple drink that is absolutely going to be the star of every girls night, date night, or weekend hangout for the foreseeable future. It sounds fancy and it looks fancy but it comes together in about 5 minutes which is very much my speed.

I first made this when I had a pint of blackberries that needed to be used up and bourbon in the cabinet and honestly it is one of the best cocktail accidents I have ever had. The blackberries muddle down into this sweet-tart fruity base that plays so beautifully off the warmth of the bourbon. I have been making them ever since and everyone who tries one immediately asks for the recipe.

What You Need

The two tools that will level up this cocktail are a good cocktail muddler for breaking down those fresh blackberries and mint, and a set of rocks glasses to serve it in. There is something about a smash in a proper rocks glass over a big ice cube that just hits different.

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The Double Strain Trick

Here is the one technique that makes this drink restaurant quality: double straining. After you shake, hold your cocktail shaker strainer over the glass AND hold a small fine mesh strainer over that. Pour through both at once. This catches every tiny blackberry seed and piece of mint so you get a silky smooth drink with no texture surprises. It sounds like an extra step but takes two seconds and makes such a difference.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Fresh blackberries muddled with mint and lemon, shaken with bourbon for a bold, fruity cocktail that looks incredible and tastes even better.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cocktail

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 fresh blackberries plus more for garnish
• 4 fresh mint leaves plus a sprig for garnish
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz bourbon
• ice
• 1 splash sparkling water optional to top

Method

 

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries and mint leaves until broken down and fragrant.
2. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and bourbon. Fill with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
4. Double strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
5. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig.

Notes

Double straining removes all the blackberry seeds for a smooth sip. Use a fine mesh strainer over your rocks glass.

Variations to Try

Swap the bourbon for rye whiskey if you like a spicier profile. Use honey syrup instead of simple syrup for a more complex sweetness. Try it with raspberries or a mix of berries when blackberries are out of season. Add a splash of ginger beer instead of sparkling water for a spicy kick. This recipe is endlessly riffable and every version is delicious.

This one is a true crowd pleaser and I promise once you make it you will wonder how you ever had people over without it. Go pick up some blackberries and let me know what you think!

XO, Pam