Blackberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Time to treat yourself to one of most delightful summertime sips: the Blackberry Bourbon Smash. With just a few simple ingredients, a matter of minutes, and zero mixology skills required, you'll be serving up a beautiful cocktail that tastes as gourmet as it looks.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This delightful libation is refreshing and light, with bold berry flavor that's just the right balance of sweet and tart, but not too sugary. It's the drink you want in hand when bourbon is the mood and the weather's hot.

After years behind the bar and two decades-worth of hosting friends and family at home, I know what it takes to make an in-house cocktail hit the mark. It has to be easy enough for entertaining in real time, yet still flavorful and balanced. This Blackberry Bourbon Smash, similar to our Peach Bourbon Smash, is guaranteed to check all the boxes.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash Ingredients

If you love a mint julep, you'll adore this Bourbon Blackberry Smash. They share a similar ingredient list, only this one comes locked and loaded with a little more pizazz.

Bourbon | You can use any bourbon you have on hand to make this cocktail.

Lemon | Lemon is a classic pairing with bourbon. It adds a bright acidity to the cocktail and naturally enhances the vanilla and oaky notes of the bourbon. Lime works in a pinch; however, it might make the cocktail a little more bitter than intended.

Blackberries | This is what gives this cocktail its gorgeous color, jammy flavor, and a touch of tartness. You can also use different kinds of fruit like raspberries, pineapple, mango, or peaches.

Simple Syrup | Equal parts sugar and water boiled to liquid consistency; its job is to add sweetness to the drink. You can use homemade simple syrup or brown sugar syrup if you'd like. Andm, honey and ginger syrup would make for an intricately delicious flavor profile upgrade!

Mint | This classic mojito ingredient is what gives the drink its refreshing quality, making it the perfect summertime sip. Basil would also add delicious flavor. If you have extra mint on hand, try mixing up one of our favorite mojitos--vodka mojito, coconut mojito, or pineapple mojito. We love them all!

Club Soda | Club soda adds bubbles and effervescence, making this blackberry bourbon smash even more refreshing. To add a little extra sweetness and a subtle kick of spice, use ginger beer or ginger ale instead.

If cocktails that feel like summer are your fave, you'll want to head over to our margarita roundup with a long list of boozy, refreshing drinks that bring that summer vibe all year long.

How Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Muddle Fruit with Simple Syrup | In a shaker or sturdy glass, gently muddle the lemon wedges, blackberries, mint, and simple syrup.

Add Bourbon + Ice | Add bourbon and fill with ice.

Shake + Strain | Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Add Club Soda + Garnish | Top with club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.

Big Batch Pitcher Recipe

If you want to make the base of the cocktail in advance, you can do so up to one day.

• 4 lemons, cut into wedges
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup mint leaves
• ¾ cup simple syrup
• 2 cups bourbon
• 1 cup club soda, sparkling water, or ginger beer

In a large measuring pitcher or bowl, muddle the lemon wedges, blackberries, and mint. Then, stir in the simple syrup and bourbon.

You can leave the muddled ingredients is and serve sangria style, or strain the mixture slowly and carefully through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher. If your pitcher has a narrow opening, I recommend straining your mixture into a bowl and then into a pitcher. If a mess can be avoided, let's do it! Add the sparkling water stir and serve over ice.

More Refreshing Cocktails You’ll Love

• Blueberry Cocktail
• Spiked Arnold Palmer
• Vodka Sour
• Watermelon Martini
• Hugo Spritz