For three glorious years, we had the most beautiful, bountiful blackberry vine at the front of our property. From our kitchen window we could watch people stroll past, do a double take, and sneak up the slope to pick a handful. Enjoy!, we thought then. We had so many, we were happy to share.
Then, one summer, it just didn’t come back. We have no idea why, but we’ve never had a successful blackberry vine again. So now we have to buy blackberries at the store, like schlubs. Which we do anyway, because blackberries are awesome.
They lean more tart than sweet, at least around here, but they possess that deep berry flavor. And the color is just magical. We love all berries, but when push comes to shove (like when there’s only one pint left at the store), blackberries are our favorite. So this year, we’re making a blackberry bourbon smash.
If you’ve been following us since the beginning, you might remember we posted a Blackberry-Ginger Fizz which has similar flavors but uses vodka and ginger beer, rather than bourbon and ginger syrup. We love that cocktail but thought it could use an update. (Kids, it was 2014 and drinking cocktails out of little Mason jars was all the rage. Ask your parents.)
Blackberry Ginger Fizz (old version)
What makes a “smash” a smash
A smash is a type of cocktail defined by combining a base spirit, sweetener, citrus, and mint (or sometimes other herbs) that are “smashed” (or muddled) together. It was introduced in the 19th century, and is a subcategory of the Julep (probably the most well-known mint-forward cocktail). Smash cocktails are often seasonal and are usually served over crushed ice. In this case, we’re adding blackberries as the main muddled element.
A little nerdy aside: The julep originated as a medicinal drink in the 18th-century American South, but it evolved from Middle Eastern roots (derived from the Persian gulab for rosewater). It was originally made with brandy or rum, and was considered a “morning tonic”.
(Why are morning tonics no longer a thing? Can we make them a thing? Who do we have to talk to?)
Anyway, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the julep evolved into more of a bourbon drink and became associated with the south and the Kentucky Derby.
How to make a Blackberry Ginger Bourbon Smash
Start by making the ginger syrup. It’s very easy but if you don’t have time or the inclination, you could use regular simple syrup and top the drink with ginger beer. It just won’t be quite as fresh-tasting.
Add a couple of mint leaves, the blackberries, and an ounce of the ginger syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle them to crush the berries. If you don’t have an official muddler, you can use the bottom of a wooden spoon.
Once you’ve crushed the berries enough to release their juices, add ice cubes, the bourbon, and lime juice and shake for 15 to 20 seconds until it’s well chilled.
Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Top with a little club soda (or ginger beer if you didn’t make the ginger syrup).
Take a sprig of mint and slap it against your palm to release the aroma and then garnish the glass with it, along with a couple of blackberries and a small lime wedge. Drink this blackberry bourbon smash on a sunny day, perhaps in the evening, perhaps with a good friend.
Blackberry Ginger Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- 1 muddler (or wooden spoon)
- 1 Fine mesh sieve
Ingredients
- 2 or 3 fresh mint leaves
- 4 fresh blackberries
- 1 oz. ginger syrup see recipe
- 2 oz. Bourbon
- 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
- Club soda for topping
- Garnish: mint sprig, blackberry and lime wedge
Instructions
- Add mint leaves, blackberries and ginger syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle until berries are crushed
- Add ice, bourbon and lime juice and shake for 15 to 20 seconds until well chilled
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into rocks glass filled with crushed ice and top with club soda
- Take a sprig of mint and slap it against your palm to release the aroma and garnish glass with it, along with a couple of blackberries and a small lime wedge.