Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

4.67 from 3 votes

Nov 06, 2016, Updated Jan 05, 2024

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The Blackberry Bourbon Smash is the whiskey drinker’s Mojito. I use the same recipe as my Blackberry Mojitoand substitute bourbon for rum. This Whiskey Smashis crisp, refreshing, and versatile enough for any time of year.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (2)

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

My goal for this co*cktail was the highlight the purest flavors of bourbon and blackberry—I opted for club soda in place of anything flavored. I love this co*cktail because it’s so balanced and brings so many fresh ingredients to the table. If you’re a fan of the Mint Julep, you will love this drink! Don’t like bourbon? try this co*cktail with vodka with my berry vodka smash.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients
  • co*cktail Variations
  • How to Make a Whiskey Smash
  • Expert Tips
  • Best Bourbon for Whiskey Smash
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Fruity co*cktails
  • Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe

Ingredients

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (3)
  • Simple syrup: simple syrup (also called simple sugar) is a popular co*cktail sweetener made with equal parts sugar and water. It easily dissolves into co*cktails, making for easy mixing and even distribution.
  • Club soda: club soda adds a little fizz and helps to balance/extend the co*cktail so it’s not so “thick” from all the muddled fruits and herbs. You can also use a splash of water or sparkling water.
  • Lime juice: I always use fresh muddled limes but you can also use 1/2-3/4 ounces lime juice or even fresh lemon.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

co*cktail Variations

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

A few other options and substitutions:

  • Fresh lemonand lime wedges
  • Honey syrup, simple syrup (sugar), or maple syrup as the sweetener (see Bee’s Knees and Brown Derby next)
  • Experiment with ginger beer or ginger ale, for an earthy, spicy, and sweeter touch
  • Fresh mint or basil as the herbs
  • Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, or raspberries for fruit flavor

How to Make a Whiskey Smash

Step 1.

In a Boston shaker, combine mint leaves, lime wedges, simple sugar, and blackberries. Muddle until pulverized.

Step 2.

Add bourbon and a cup of ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (6)

Step 3.

Pour the full contents of the shaker into a double old-fashioned glass (no straining). Top with 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves.

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (7)

Expert Tips

  • Get a muddler: a muddler is a handheld wooden/stainless steel 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 co*cktails.
  • Don’t strain a Whiskey Smash: shake and transfer all of the fruits and herbs for the best sipping experience.
  • Snapping a sprig of mint leaves on the back of your hand helps to activate the aroma. This is perfect for aromatic garnishes.

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) (8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of whiskey?

Bourbon is best because it’s slightly sweeter than rye whiskey. You can use rye or Canadian whiskey in a pinch.

What is the difference between Whiskey Sour and Whiskey Smash?

The Whiskey Sour is made with bourbon, lemon juice (no wedges), and egg white. It’s a frothy co*cktail with no solids.

Why is it called a Whiskey Smash?

The Whiskey Smash earned its name from the muddled/smashed fresh fruits and herbs present in the co*cktail.

More Fruity co*cktails

Berry Vodka Smash Recipe

Mojito Recipe

Strawberry Tequila co*cktail Recipe

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this co*cktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

4.67 from 3 votes

Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

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Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (13)

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

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice, or 2 lime wedges, squeezed
  • 6-7 mint leaves, muddled
  • 2-3 blackberries, muddled
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup, 1 tablespoon of sugar will do
  • 1 ounce club soda
  • Cup of ice

Instructions

  • In a Boston shaker, combine mint leaves, lime wedges, simple sugar, and blackberries. Muddle until pulverized.

  • Add bourbon and a cup of ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

  • Pour the full contents of the shaker into a double old-fashioned glass (no straining). Top with 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves.

Notes

Club soda can be substituted with ginger ale or ginger beer for additional flavor.

Snapping a sprig of mint leaves on the back of your hand helps to activate the aroma. This is perfect for aromatic garnishes.

Get a muddler: a muddler is a handheld wooden/stainless steel 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 co*cktails.

Don’t strain a Whiskey Smash: shake and transfer all of the fruits and herbs for the best sipping experience.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 0.1gSodium: 22mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Whiskey Smash Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is a good mixer for blackberry whiskey? ›

Blackberries and lemon juice give the Orange Blackberry Whiskey Sour a subtle bite, while orange juice adds a bit of sweetness that compliments the notes of oak and spice in Bird Dog Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Muddle blackberries, simple syrup, and bitters in the bottom of a shaker.

What is the difference between Whisky Sour and Whisky Smash? ›

The Whiskey Smash differs from a whiskey sour because it uses whole lemon wedges rather than lemon juice. The Manhattan co*cktail has been around longer than the Whiskey Smash. This co*cktail gets its name from its place of origin, The Manhattan Club in New York.

What should I mix blackberry crown royal with? ›

Instructions. In a shaker with ice, add Crown Royal, lemon juice, blackberry simple syrup. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass and top with tonic water or sparkling wine.

How many calories are in blackberry bourbon smash? ›

1 servings of blackberry bourbon, smash ( Hickory Tavern) contains 220 Calories.

What is a good mixer for whiskey? ›

If it works for you, it works.
  • Cola. Whisky and co*ke is a classic combo. ...
  • Orange soda. There's not much to like about whisky and orange soda. ...
  • Lemonade. Mix up a batch of whisky and lemonade for summer sizzlers; the ultimate refresher. ...
  • Ginger ale. Like spice? ...
  • Ginger beer. ...
  • Cream soda. ...
  • Tonic. ...
  • Soda water.

What flavor goes best with blackberry? ›

Blackberry: Pairs well with almond, apple, apricot, black pepper, blueberry, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, lemon, mango, mint, peach, plum, orange, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla. It mixes very well with berry liqueurs, brandy, Champagne, orange liqueurs, port wine, and red wines such as merlot.

What type of person drinks whiskey sour? ›

Dating all the way back to the 1800s, a Whisky Sour is about as classic a co*cktail as you can get. If you're a Whisky Sour sipper, it's likely that you are very complex; you tend to have many different - sometimes opposing - personality traits and are extremely adaptable in social situations.

What makes a smash co*cktail? ›

The Smash is a family of co*cktails that generally include:
  1. spirit.
  2. sweetener.
  3. herb.
  4. seasonal fruit.
  5. ice.
  6. water.
Mar 19, 2015

Is sour mash whiskey the same as bourbon? ›

Sour mash (or sourmash) is a process used in the distilling industry that uses material from an older batch of mash to adjust the acidity of a new mash. The term can also be used as the name of the type of mash used in such a process, and a bourbon made using this process can be referred to as a sour mash bourbon.

What not to mix with whiskey? ›

Beer and whiskey are both beloved beverages, but they don't always mix well together. Mixing whiskey with beer can lead to an overwhelming and confusing taste. The flavors and carbonation of the beer can overpower the whiskey, resulting in a less enjoyable drinking experience.

What is a triple crown blackberry? ›

Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry plants are productive and vigorous growers, producing large, glossy black, firm fruits! With a tasty blend of sweet and tart, these berries are great for pies and baking. Seeds are smaller than those of wild blackberries.

Which fruit is best with whisky? ›

Tangy Fruits

The flavor and smell will completely mask the flavor of your whiskey, ruining the purpose of combining the two! Opting for apples and pears, or other tart fruits, is a much better option, and can really help bring out the natural flavors in your whiskey.

How many carbs in a whiskey smash? ›

How Strong Is the Whiskey Smash?
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
406Calories
2gFat
84gCarbs
8gProtein
Dec 9, 2022

What is a bourbon bramble? ›

Our Bourbon Bramble co*cktail is a sweet mixture of ripe blackberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, blackberry liqueur, our trademark Basil Hayden® Bourbon and basil garnish. The content can only be shared with people of legal drinking age.

How many carbs are in Southern Tier bourbon Smash? ›

Bourbon Smash: 160 calories / 16 carbs / 10% alc/vol.

What does blackberry whiskey taste like? ›

On its own, this whisky is sweet with blackberry jam and vanilla notes. Towards the end you get a tartness which brings a nice relief to that sweetness. In Coffee: we added a shot to a strong Americano, no milk, and this whisky muted the bitterness the coffee provided and brought on a light sweet blackberry jam flavor.

Is Crown Royal Blackberry a real thing? ›

Crown Royal Blackberry Flavored Whisky stands out as a versatile blend, showcasing its adaptability across various hosting occasions.

What pairs best with whisky? ›

Overall, whisky pairs best with meats, cheeses and sweet dishes. But there's no rules when it comes to whisky pairing. Try experimenting and seeing what works. Pick similar flavours or go for a contrast, pairing sweet and salty or fresh and floral.

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