Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Embark on a flavor journey with our Blackberry Bourbon Smash! This cocktail blends the bold richness of bourbon with the sweet-tart allure of fresh blackberries. Perfect for any occasion, whether hosting a gathering or enjoying a drink at home. Our Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a visually stunning and delicious masterpiece that elevates every sip.

This gorgeous blackberry smash cocktail is lovely to serve at a party. Serve along with limeade margaritas. Planning for a winter holiday party? Cranberry Spritzers and hot chocolate with homemade Irish cream are festive and delicious additions to your cocktail selection.

What is a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?

A blackberry bourbon smash is a classic Southern drink made of bourbon, frozen blackberries, basil, lime juice, and ginger ale. It’s called a ‘smash’ because the fruit and fresh herbs are muddled or ‘smashed’ together before shaking to release all the juice and flavor before shaking.

When to Serve a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?

A Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a refreshing drink that’s perfect for warmer weather, so it’s ideal for:

Spring and Summer: The bright flavors of the blackberries and basil really shine in these seasons, making it a great choice for patios, picnics, or poolside lounging.
Afternoon or Evening: This cocktail works well for both afternoon gatherings and evening drinks.

It’s a great choice for casual get-togethers, brunches, or backyard barbecues. It’s very flavorful and is lovely to sip by the pool or around a campfire. But, be mindful of the alcohol content if you’re serving it to people who don’t drink much!

Blackberry Smash Ingredients

• Sugar
• Lime juice – Fresh lime juice is best. Squeeze the juice from one lime for this recipe.
• Frozen blackberries – Fresh will work, too, but frozen berries are juicy and cold, adding even more flavor to the drink.
• Bourbon whiskey – I like Jim Beam, but your favorite brand will do fine!
• Ice cubes
• Blackberry Bubly – Any brand of blackberry sparkling water will work. You can also use another berry flavored sparkling water, like raspberry or blueberry, if blackberry isn’t available.
• Ginger ale

Optional Garnishes:

• Mint leaves
• Berries
• Lime wheel or wedge

How to Make our Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe

STEP ONE: Muddle the berries. In a cocktail shaker, combine the sugar, basil, lime juice, blackberries, and bourbon. Use a drink muddler to break up the berries, basil, and lime, and to dissolve the sugar.

STEP TWO: Shake. Add a generous amount of ice to the shaker. Cover then shake to chill and combine the ingredients.

STEP THREE: Pour. Fill an old fashioned glass with ice. Add the blackberry Bubly. Strain the cocktail over the ice and top off with ginger ale. Garnish with mint, berries, and lime if desired.

Tips and Tricks

• Some blackberries are sweeter than others (especially if you’re using fresh berries). You can taste your berries, and if they are less sweet than you prefer, you can add a touch more sugar or even a bit of simple syrup before shaking.
• Always muddle your drinks lightly. You don’t want to pulverize your berries and leaves, or they might turn bitter.
• If you don’t have a muddler, you can use the back of a spoon to muddle the berries.
• For extra-hot days, you can freeze your glasses for about an hour beforehand.
• A cocktail skewer of blackberries makes a fun garnish!

Can I make a non-alcoholic Blackberry Bourbon Smash?

Absolutely! To make a refreshing mocktail, substitute the bourbon with club soda. You can also use non-alcoholic sparkling wine or flavored sparkling water.

What kind of bourbon is best for a smash? 

Any bourbon you enjoy will work! For this fruity drink, I prefer a wheated bourbon because they are sweeter instead of smoky. Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam are both great options.

Do I have to use blackberries?

Nope! You can substitute other berries like raspberries or blueberries, or muddle in some peaches for a twist. Use a complementary flavor of sparkling water.

I don’t have Bubly, can I use something else? 

Sure! Regular club soda or another flavor of sparkling water will work depending on the taste profile you’re going for. Bubly is a brand, but any kind will work.

I don’t like ginger ale. What can I replace it with?

Club soda is a great substitute for a lighter fizz. You could also experiment with flavored sparkling water for a different twist. 7-Up or Sprite are also good options, but will add some extra sweetness.

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