Patty and I were high-fiving last night (I know, we are losers). I don’t know why but I was drinking bourbon and I was really jacked up about this cocktail, so it felt like the right thing to do. We made solid crisp contact 3 or 4 times in a row, and then Patty says “Wait, if you look at the other persons elbow when you high five them you can’t miss!” “Okay.” First attempt: Wide miss. Don’t believe everything you hear.
The blackberry bourbon smash is the bourbon drinkers mojito. In fact, I used the same recipe as my blackberry mojito and substituted bourbon for rum. Nothing else changed.
I’ve always been intrigued by the whiskey smash—essentially a variation of the mojito made with whiskey or bourbon. Now, I love mojitos but I’m a whiskey guy at heart. Call the blackberry bourbon smash a match made in heaven. The cocktail is crisp, refreshing, and versatile enough for any time of year. With winter looming and the bitter hatred JOY of shoveling on it’s way, it’s time to break out the bourbon.
I experimented with several variations of the bourbon smash for this recipe. Lemon and lime. Honey versus simple syrup (sugar). Some variations used a splash of ginger beer or ginger ale in place of soda water. I know, the things I do for you. I wanted the purest flavors of the bourbon and blackberry to come through—so I went with a splash of club soda. My second favorite variation was definitely ginger beer, for an earthy, spicy kick.
Before I go, I want to give a brief shout out to my friends over at Drizly. Drizly is an alcohol delivery service that will actually deliver a massive selection of beer, wine, and liquor right to your door (WITHIN AN HOUR) Crazy huh? They have a handful of locations across the US—Boston being one of them (and their founder’s roots if I might add). Unfortunately, being up in New Hampshire put me just out of their delivery loop, however they were nice enough to supply the bourbon and collaborate with me on the blackberry bourbon smash.
So, next time you want to make one of my cocktails but are too lazy (or busy) to go to the store, try Drizly! Now if only I could convince them to give me a bottle of Don Julio 1942. I wouldn’t hate it…
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PinIngredients
- 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 and blackberries. Muddle until pulverized. Add bourbon, ice, and simple syrup (or sugar) and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Pour full contents into a rocks glass (no straining) and top with 1 ounce of club soda. Stir and garnish with mint leaves and blackberry.
Have you tried making this ahead and freezing it, then serving as a slush? I’m wondering what alterations I would have to make to the recipe for that to work.
Interesting idea! I have not, but I’m thinking I would follow instructions but leave out the soda water until you served. Otherwise freezing could kill the fizz. Also keeping the bourbon in it may prevent it from completely freezing. Not sure if this would help or hurt.
Have you ever tried it with cola instead of soda water?
Cola might be weird, but a common cheat for mojitos is to splash with Sprite.
I’m wondering if this would work as a big batch cocktail? I want to serve it at a party in a large pitcher.
I’ve never tried but here are a few ideas. You could make everything up in a large pitcher except the club soda and ice. Muddle well and let sit. Pour over ice and add a splash of club soda to each serving. OR you could mix all the liquids in a pitcher and muddle blackberry and mint fresh in each glass then pour over ice for each serving. Hope this helps.