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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Blackberry Bourbon Smash

    Published: May 24, 2022 by Alana Lieberman · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Pin graphic for blackberry bourbon smash.

    This Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a berry twist on the classic Mint Julep. It's made with muddled mint, juicy blackberries, and lemon wedges then shaken with a generous splash of oaky bourbon. All you need is 5 simple ingredients to enjoy this fresh cocktail at home.

    Blackberry bourbon smash on a serving tray with lemon wedges.
    Jump to:
    • 📋 About the Recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 📓 Instructions
    • ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations
    • ❄️ How to Store
    • 🔍 FAQs
    • 💭 One More Tip
    • 🍴 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    📋 About the Recipe

    • Ready in 10 minutes. Save your money and enjoy a restaurant quality cocktail at home with little effort and affordable ingredients.
    • Possible to make without bar tools or a homemade mixology kit. Prepare this bourbon smash just as easily in a mason jar, same with my strawberry basil gin smash. No need to own any bar tools.
    • Make for 1 or for a group. This recipe is written to make one blackberry bourbon smash, but it is very easy to double or triple the ingredients and make a few cocktails at once. Make as many as you need! Or if you are looking for pitcher-sized homemade mixed drink, try my Red, White, and Blue Sangria or Blueberry Vodka Lemonade.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Labelled ingredients for blackberry bourbon smash (see recipe for details).

    A few notes about the ingredients:

    1. Blackberries - Fresh blackberries are essential to creating the freshest tasting blackberry smash. The more ripe your berries are, the more flavorful your cocktail will be.
    2. Bourbon - Bourbon has a distinct deep flavor with notes of oak, vanilla, and a slightly sweet caramel undertone. It is generally sweeter tasting than whiskey, which compliments the sweetness in the fresh blackberries.
    3. Lemons - The acidity in the lemons balances the sweetness in the berries and bourbon and adds a lightness to this boozy blackberry smash. Make sure to use the entire lemon wedge because the oils in the lemon rind hold a lot of additional flavor.
    4. Maple syrup - The caramel and nutty undertones in maple syrup pair well with the bourbon and help take the bite away from the alcohol.
    5. Mint - Fresh mint leaves help keep the flavor of this blackberry bourbon smash bright and refreshing.

    📓 Instructions

    1. Place the lemon, blackberries, and mint in a cocktail shaker or a glass jar with a lid.
    2. Muddle the fruit - Smash the berries, lemon wedge, and mint leaves together until the berries resemble jam. The lemon and mint should also be aromatic.
    Muddled blackberries, lemon, and mint in a cocktail shaker.
    1. On top of the muddled fruit and mint leaves, pour the bourbon, maple syrup, and ice cubes.
    2. Add the lid to your shaker or glass jar and shake the blackberry bourbon smash together vigorously to mesh the ingredients.
    Ice and bourbon added to cocktail shaker. Blackberry bourbon smash garnished with blackberries and mint.
    1. Strain into a drinking glass over ice.
    2. Top with sparkling water or club soda. Garnish with additional fresh mint and blackberries and enjoy immediately.
    Blackberry bourbon smash garnished with blackberries and fresh mint in a clear glass.

    ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations

    • Out of blackberries? Try using blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. All are great substitutes.
    • Out of maple syrup? Use agave nectar, honey, or simple syrup. Or use my blueberry simple syrup for an even stronger berry flavor.
    • Love the flavor of mint? Muddle both the leaves and stems for an even more pronounced bright, mint flavor.

    ❄️ How to Store

    To store: This blackberry bourbon smash is best served immediately. However, leftover cocktails can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day in an airtight jar or container. If possible, remove the ice before storing to prevent the drink from becoming watered down.

    🔍 FAQs

    Are bourbon and whiskey the same?

    Bourbon is a type of whiskey, but all whiskeys are not bourbon. The main difference between bourbon and whiskey is the way that bourbon is prepared. In order for a whiskey to be considered bourbon, it must be produced in the United States, be made from 51% corn, and aged in oak barrels.

    Can bourbon freeze?

    Bourbon will not freeze because of the high alcohol content. Although it may be tempting to store your bourbon in the freezer for a very chilled cocktail, doing so can cause the bourbon to lose flavor overtime. Bourbons do best when stored at room temperature.

    What does muddle mean in cocktails?

    Muddling fruit or mint when making cocktails simply means mashing them lightly until their juices and fragrances are released. This is done to help make the cocktail, like this blackberry bourbon smash, as flavorful as possible.

    Can you muddle without a muddler?

    Yes! If you do not have a proper muddler from a mixology kit, you can still muddle the fruit and mint at home with common kitchen tools. Try using the handle of a wooden spatula or serving utensil, a rolling pin, a mortar and pestle, or even a coffee grounds tamper.

    💭 One More Tip

    Keep in mind that the longer you shake the blackberry bourbon smash in the cocktail shaker, the stronger the flavor will be.

    3 blackberry bourbon smash drinks surrounded by lemon wedges, fresh mint, and blackberries.

    🍴 Related Recipes

    • Bourbon Peach Smash
    • Vanilla Fig Old Fashioned
    • Mango Mojito
    • Easy Honey Bourbon Glazed Salmon Meatballs

    Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!

    📖 Recipe

    3 blackberry bourbon smash drinks on a serving tray with lemon wedges.

    Blackberry Bourbon Smash

    Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a berry twist on the classic Mint Julep. It's made with muddled mint, juicy blackberries, and lemon wedges then shaken with a generous splash of bourbon. All you need is 5 simple ingredients to enjoy this fresh cocktail at home.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1 drink
    Calories: 230kcal
    Author: Alana Lieberman
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker
    • muddler

    Ingredients

    • 2 lemon wedges (about ⅓ of a lemon)
    • 5 mint leaves plus extra for garnish
    • 10 blackberries plus extra for garnish
    • 2 ounces bourbon (4 tablespoons)
    • 1 ounce pure maple syrup (2 tablespoons) can also use simple syrup or agave
    • sparkling water or club soda
    • ice

    Instructions

    • Add lemon wedges, mint leaves, and blackberries to a cocktail shaker or glass.
    • Muddle until mostly smashed, about 10 times.
    • Pour in bourbon, maple syrup, and ice. Top with the lid of the shaker and make sure it is secure.
    • Shake vigorously to combine all the flavors.
    • Strain into a glass filled with ice.
    • Top with sparkling water or club soda. Garnish with additional fresh mint and blackberries.

    Notes

    1. Add whole lemon wedges to the cocktail shaker. This will add additional flavor from the oils in the skin.
    2. Other berries will work too. Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all great options.
    3. Adjust the servings for measurements to make multiple drinks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Christina

      January 12, 2023 at 8:55 am

      I really enjoy this drink I do add a splash of of 7Up because I don't have sparkling water and I think the 7Up would add a little bit more flavor but I really enjoy this drink , I like the hint of shaking it up real good to add better Blackberry flavor I'll do that next time.

      Reply

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