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To make a blackberry bourbon smash, you need fresh blackberries, good bourbon, a touch of sweetness, and a little citrus to bring it all together.
This cocktail is essentially a bourbon smash with muddled blackberries, which adds a fruity, slightly tart depth that pairs beautifully with the warm, oaky notes of the whiskey.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a blackberry bourbon smash at home without fancy bar tools, you’re in the right place.
The best part is that a blackberry bourbon smash comes together in just a few minutes with ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make a blackberry bourbon smash, including the classic ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and a few easy variations.
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?
A blackberry bourbon smash is a modern twist on the classic whiskey smash, which traditionally combines muddled mint, lemon, and bourbon.
When you make a blackberry bourbon smash, you’re essentially swapping the mint for fresh blackberries—or sometimes adding both—to create a richer, fruit-forward drink.
The blackberry bourbon smash first gained popularity in craft cocktail bars around the early 2010s.
Bartenders loved how the blackberry bourbon smash balanced sweet, tart, and strong in a single glass.
Today, the blackberry bourbon smash is a staple on summer menus and home bars alike.
And honestly, once you learn how to make a blackberry bourbon smash, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered anything else.
Ingredients for a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Before you make a blackberry bourbon smash, gather these simple ingredients:
1. Fresh Blackberries
You’ll need about 4 to 5 ripe blackberries for a single blackberry bourbon smash.
Frozen blackberries work in a pinch, but fresh ones muddle better and give the blackberry bourbon smash a brighter flavor.
2. Bourbon
Use 2 ounces of a decent bourbon for your blackberry bourbon smash.
You don’t need top-shelf stuff, but avoid the cheapest rotgut because the blackberry bourbon smash lets the whiskey shine through.
3. Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice (about ¾ ounce) cuts through the sweetness of the blackberry bourbon smash.
Bottled lemon juice will make your blackberry bourbon smash taste flat, so squeeze it fresh.
4. Simple Syrup
Half an ounce of simple syrup sweetens the blackberry bourbon smash without overpowering it.
You can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water, or buy a bottle.
5. Mint (Optional)
A few mint leaves give your blackberry bourbon smash an herbal lift.
If you love a classic smash, don’t skip the mint in your blackberry bourbon smash.
6. Garnish
A fresh blackberry and a lemon wheel make your blackberry bourbon smash look as good as it tastes.
How to Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash (Step by Step)
Learning how to make a blackberry bourbon smash takes less than five minutes.
Here’s the exact process:
1. Muddle the Blackberries and Mint
Drop 4 blackberries and 3 to 4 mint leaves into a cocktail shaker.
Gently muddle them—just press down and twist a few times.
Don’t pulverize the blackberries, or your blackberry bourbon smash will turn bitter from crushed seeds.
2. Add the Bourbon, Lemon, and Syrup
Pour in 2 ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice, and ½ ounce simple syrup.
This ratio makes a balanced blackberry bourbon smash that isn’t too sweet or too sour.
3. Shake with Ice
Fill the shaker with ice cubes, seal it, and shake hard for about 15 seconds.
The ice chills the blackberry bourbon smash and slightly dilutes it, which mellows the whiskey’s bite.
4. Double Strain into a Glass
Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice or a large cube.
Strain your blackberry bourbon smash through a fine mesh strainer to catch seeds and mint bits.
Double straining keeps the texture of your blackberry bourbon smash smooth and sippable.
5. Garnish and Serve
Top your blackberry bourbon smash with a fresh blackberry and a lemon wheel.
Serve immediately while it’s cold and fizzy.
Tips and Variations for a Perfect Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Once you nail the basics of a blackberry bourbon smash, try these tweaks.
1. Adjust Sweetness
If your blackberries are very ripe, cut the simple syrup to ¼ ounce in your blackberry bourbon smash.
If they’re tart, add an extra splash.
2. Swap the Citrus
Lime juice gives your blackberry bourbon smash a brighter, tropical edge.
Grapefruit juice makes a more bitter, grown-up blackberry bourbon smash.
3. Add Ginger Beer
Top your blackberry bourbon smash with a splash of ginger beer for a fizzy, spicy kick.
This turns the blackberry bourbon smash into a longer, more refreshing drink.
4. Make a Pitcher
Multiply the ingredients by six and muddle everything in a large pitcher.
Add ice and stir well, then serve your blackberry bourbon smash at your next party.
So, How Do You Make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?
You make a blackberry bourbon smash by muddling fresh blackberries and mint, then shaking them with bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup over ice.
Strain it into a glass, garnish with a blackberry and lemon, and you’ve got a bar-quality blackberry bourbon smash at home.
The blackberry bourbon smash is forgiving, so feel free to adjust the sweetness or citrus to your taste.
Whether you’re hosting a summer cookout or just relaxing on a Friday night, a blackberry bourbon smash delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
So grab those blackberries and that bottle of bourbon, and go make a blackberry bourbon smash tonight.