If you enjoy bourbon, you'll love this simple and delicious blackberry bourbon smash, a lightly sweetened bourbon cocktail with fresh summer blackberries, lime and mint topped with bubbly soda. It's an easy and elegant summer sip!

If you enjoy bourbon, you'll love this delicious blackberry bourbon smash, an bourbon cocktail with sweet summer blackberries, lemon and fresh muddled mint topped with bubbly soda. It's an easy and elegant summer sip! Via livelytable.com

I'll admit that I'm not really a bourbon kind of girl. In fact, on my list of liquors to drink, it's probably at the bottom. But, BUT! This Blackberry bourbon smash is one bourbon cocktail that I will happily drink.

Why You'll Love This Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Somewhere between a mint julep and a mojito, but infused with sweet, juicy blackberries, lies this elegant cocktail. It's smooth and sweet, with an added depth from bourbon, infused with a hint of tart lime and fresh mint, that makes it perfectly sippable for summer occasions. And it's incredibly easy to make. No simple syrup or infusing required. All you need is a shaker, something to muddle with (a spoon will do in a pinch) and some ice!

How To Make A Blackberry Bourbon Smash

side by side overhead images of blackberries, mint and sugar in a glass shaker; and a muddler smashing the berries.

First, muddle the blackberries, mint and sugar in the bottom of a shaker to release their flavors.
Then add the lime juice, bourbon, and a handful of ice.
Shake and strain into two glasses filled with ice.
Top each glass with soda or sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh mint, blackberries, and/or lime wedges (if you like).

Tips For Making This Cocktail Perfectly

Choose a good bourbon that you enjoy. A cheap or icky bourbon will make the whole drink taste bad.
Use granulated sugar, not raw sugar. Raw sugar will not dissolve as well, so it will stay behind in the shaker.
If your blackberries are extra tart, your cocktail will be too. Adjust the sugar accordingly.
In a pinch, lemon juice can be used instead of lime.
If you really don't care for bourbon, try this cocktail with gin, vodka, or rum instead.

overhead shot of two blackberry bourbons smash cocktails in glasses with fresh mint and blackberry garnishes, surrounded by limes, mint leaves and blackberries.

This cocktail is a great change-up for your summer parties or dinner with friends. It is elegant and refined, yet easy to make, and makes use of fresh summer ingredients. It'll turn even the most stubborn bourbon-hater (like me) into a believer. Cheers, friends!

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Blackberry Bourbon Smash

Print Recipe

Author: Kaleigh
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 drinks 1x
Category: cocktails
Method: no cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

about 10 blackberries
10 mint leaves
2 tsp sugar
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
3 oz bourbon
3 oz club soda or sparkling water
ice

Instructions

Place blackberries, mint and sugar in a shaker and muddle.
Add ice, lemon juice and bourbon, place lid on top, and shake to combine.
Strain into two glasses filled with ice.
Top each with soda.
Stir and garnish with extra blackberries, fresh mint and/or lime wedges (optional).

Notes

Choose a good bourbon that you enjoy. A cheap or icky bourbon will make the whole drink taste bad.
Use granulated sugar, not raw sugar. Raw sugar will not dissolve as well, so it will stay behind in the shaker.
If your blackberries are extra tart, your cocktail will be too. Adjust the sugar accordingly.
In a pinch, lemon juice can be used instead of lime.
If you really don't care for bourbon, try this cocktail with gin, vodka, or rum instead.

Keywords: blackberry bourbon smash, blackberry bourbon cocktail with mint

This post was originally published July 2016 and has been updated.