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. Easy button.
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! Here is where you can get the bourbon I used. Now if only I could convince them to give me a bottle of Don Julio 1942. I wouldn’t hate it…
- ½ ounce lime juice, or 2 lime wedges, squeezed
- 6-7 mint leaves, muddled
- 2-3 blackberries, muddled
- ¾ ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon of sugar will do)
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce club soda
- Cup of ice
- 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.
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