Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe)

The bourbon drinkers mojito. Fresh muddled lime, blackberries, and mint mixed with bourbon and topped with soda water.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe)

The blackberry bourbon smash is the whiskey drinker’s mojito. In fact, I use the same recipe as my blackberry mojito and substitute bourbon for rum. Nothing else changed. This whiskey smash is crisp, refreshing, and versatile enough for any time of year.

Bourbon, lime, mint, blackberry, simple syrup, and a splash of club soda are all you need for this fruity libation. Often the most overlooked part is the final fizzy soda addition at the end. Club soda adds effervescence and also smooths the cocktail’s edges.

I wanted the purest flavors of the bourbon and blackberry to come through—so I opt for club soda in place of anything sweet or flavored. My second favorite variation was definitely ginger beer, for an earthy, spicy, and sweeter touch. I’d experiment if I were you to see what you like best. You can’t really go wrong.

Whiskey Smash Variations

I experimented with several variations of the bourbon smash and I’m here to tell you the options are endless. Usually, you have whiskey, soda, a sweetener, an acid, fruits, and mint.

A few other options and substitutions:

  • Fresh lemon and limes
  • Honey, simple syrup (sugar), or maple syrup as the sweetener
  • Splash of ginger beer, ginger ale, or soda water for a little fizz
  • Fresh mint or basil as the herb
  • Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, or raspberries for fruit flavor

Best Bourbon For Whiskey Smash

I love bourbon because there are SO MANY great options out there at the $25-$40 price point. I would choose a lower-tier bourbon for this recipe since it’s going to be heavily flavored and fruited. My evergrowing list of favorite budget-friendly bourbons are:

  • Buffalo Trace
  • Larceny
  • Elijah Craig
  • Michter’s
  • Henry McKenna Single Barrel
  • Four Roses Single Barrel
  • Woodford Reserve
  • Eagle Rare
  • Knob Creek
  • Maker’s Mark
Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe)

Tips and Cocktail Process

For this cocktail, you’re going to want to invest in a muddler. A muddler is a handheld wooden bar tool with a wide flat head on one end. A muddler is used to mash and pulverize fruits and fresh herbs to extract the delicate flavors in cocktails. They’re inexpensive and a solid addition to any home bar set.

The key to the whiskey smash is the muddled lime wedges, fruits (blackberry), and mint leaves. A muddler will extract the oils and juices and help infuse the cocktail with all the good stuff. Add whiskey, sugar, and ice and shake. Top with soda water and serve in a double old fashioned glass.

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Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe

  • Author: Shawn Williams
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A bourbon smash made with fresh lime, fresh mint leaves, blackberries, and simple sugar.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice, or 2 lime wedges, squeezed
  • 67 mint leaves, muddled
  • 23 blackberries, muddled
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon of sugar will do)
  • 1 ounce club soda
  • Cup of ice

Instructions

  1. In a Boston shaker, combine mint leaves, lime wedges and blackberries. Muddle until pulverized. Add bourbon, ice, and simple syrup (or sugar) and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
  2. Pour full contents into a rocks glass (no straining) and top with 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves and blackberry.

Notes

Club soda can be substituted for ginger ale or ginger beer for additional flavor. My second favorite option would be ginger beer.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 0.2g
  • Sodium: 22mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 0.1g
  • Protein: 0.1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: whiskey smash, bourbon smash