Blackberry Bourbon Smash

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Craving a refreshing summer cocktail that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Blackberry Bourbon Smash! This easy recipe combines sweet summer blackberries with the smooth warmth of bourbon, a touch of tart lime, and a hint of honey for a perfectly balanced drink. It’s ready in minutes and perfect for sipping on a warm evening.

A reddish cocktail garnished with blackberries on a pick, fresh herbs and a lime wedge.

Bourbon makes the best cocktails. So does tequila, vodka, gin…. I’m a cocktail connoisseur. Good thing I get to recipe test cocktails as my job.

This blackberry bourbon smash is one of my favorite cocktails lately. Not only is it super pretty, it makes use of summer berries. Which, admittedly, I hoard in my freeze all winter long.

But! If you’re serving this at a BBQ or summer dinner party, using fresh berries for garnish along with fresh mint leaves, really ups the presentation.

Try it as a refreshing beverage with Blackstone chicken fajitas or jalapeno cheddar burgers.

Ingredients

See the recipe card for exact amounts.

bourbon: I use Kentucky bourbon and for this cocktail I used Evan Williams. I also like Larceny, Forty Creek, and 4 Roses. Use your favorite bourbon.
blackberries: I thawed fresh blackberries and it worked perfectly. You can also use fresh berries, but it doesn’t really matter because you’re muddling them anyway. So, fresh or frozen, it’s your choice!
lime: fresh lime juice always has the zippiest fresh taste but use bottle lime juice if you have it.
honey: honey adds a touch of sweetness to this cocktail. Skip it if you prefer it tangy.

Substitutions

blackberries: I think this cocktail would also work with raspberries, similar to my raspberry Collins cocktail.
lime: try lemon juice instead.
honey: I also tasted this with simple syrup which is easy to make with just sugar and water.

An icon with a black cast iron skillet and the word Tip in white handwritten font.

Garnishes are fun, they make drinks look pretty! Try lime or lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

Instructions

Prep Tips

Thaw the blackberries in a bowl on the counter for about 30 minutes.
Use honey or make simple syrup as a sweetener.

Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Use a jar with a lid.

Add the blackberries, honey, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker or a jar that has a lid.

Ingredients are muddled in a cocktail shaker.

Use a muddler or something similar to break up the blackberries. You can add mint at this time if you have it.

Bourbon is poured into a cocktail shaker.

Add the bourbon and ice.

Shake for 30-60 seconds to combine and chill all the ingredients.

A lime wedge is rubbed on the rim of a glass.

Swipe a lime wedge over the rim of your glass.

The rim of a glass is coated in sugar and lime zest.

Gently stamp and roll the glass in sugar and lime zest. Add ice to the glass.

Reddish pink liquid is poured in a rimmed glass with ice.

Strain the cocktail mixture over the ice.

Bubbly water is poured into a reddish cocktail.

Fill with sparkling water.

Garnish with your choice of garnishes. I used a lime wedge, blackberries on a cocktail pick, and fresh oregano leaves (because I love them and they have taken over my garden!).

Tips for making a blackberry bourbon smash

Use fresh or frozen berries and you can make this drink any time of the year.
It’s worth using a cocktail shaker or something similar. Shaking the ingredients with ice helps combine and cool them as well as slightly dilute the drink. Strain it over fresh ice for a refreshing cocktail.
Garnishes make the drink look really pretty – always a nice touch for dinner parties.

What to serve with a blackberry smash

This drink makes me think summer and is perfect for a cocktail hour with a few nice appetizers. Try tortilla chips with pineapple salsa or pita chips with whipped ricotta.

Want to try another bourbon cocktail? Try a Kentucky mule next.

Storage

This cocktail is best served at the time it’s made.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of liquor?

While this recipe was developed using Kentucky Bourbon, substitutions like whiskey or vodka will work just as well, altering the taste slightly.

5 from 2 votes