Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Fresh, Easy & Ready in 5 Minutes!)
This blackberry bourbon smash uses fresh muddled blackberries, mint, lime, and bourbon shaken over ice and topped with ginger beer — a perfectly balanced summer cocktail ready in 5 minutes. Includes a mocktail version.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh blackberries plus more to garnish
- 3 lime slices plus morel to garnish
- 2 teaspoons cane or white sugar
- 4 fresh mint leaves plus more to garnish
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Ice
- 1-2 ounces ginger beer
Instructions
- Add blackberries, lime slices, sugar, and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker.
- Muddle firmly until the blackberries and lime are juicy and the mint is fragrant. Don't over-muddle.
- Add bourbon and a large handful of ice.
- Seal the shaker and shake for 20–30 seconds until the outside is frosty.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with a splash of ginger beer.
- Garnish with blackberries, lime slices, or mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don't over-muddle — stop when the berries are juicy and the mint is fragrant. Over-muddling makes mint bitter.
- Always strain — keeps the texture smooth and drinkable.
- Chill your glass — freeze the highball glass for 15–30 minutes before serving to slow ice melt.
- Mocktail — swap bourbon for 2 oz sparkling water or extra ginger beer.
- Make-ahead — muddle and mix with bourbon up to 4 hours ahead; shake over ice and top with ginger beer just before serving.
- Frozen blackberries — thaw completely and drain before muddling.
Nutrition
Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
