Bourbon lovers, rejoice! This blueberry basil bourbon smash makes an excellent and refreshing cocktail. Quality bourbon, fresh blueberries, and basil with a complementary blend of sweet and tart from maple syrup and freshly squeezed lemon. It's a perfect drink for summer!
Updated on July 28th, 2020: New written content, recipe instructions, and photos. Yay! See more details below the recipe.
Originally published on .
I love bourbon. I do. <3
It's one of those liquors I really enjoy having year-round. It's great on its own (whether neat or on the rocks) to warm you up on a cold night. Made with the right blend of warm spices, it will also make a fantastic fall or winter cocktail. But before I get carried away with cold weather talk, it's the end of July and the thermostat is reading 93 degrees Fahrenheit as I type this.
Yes, bourbon is an excellent spirit for those cold and bitter seasons, BUT it's also an amazing base for a summer drink that will help you to cool right off. It's a common misconception that clear spirits are meant for summer and dark are for winter. I'm here to tell you that is very much not true! If you've never experienced a bourbon-based drink during the summer months, let me introduce you to one of my absolute favorites: the delectable blueberry basil bourbon smash.
Tips on Making a Bourbon Smash
The recipe for this cocktail calls for a combination of ingredients that give a perfect balance of sweet and tart:
- blueberries
- basil
- bourbon
- lemon
- maple syrup
You get some tartness from the blueberries and lemon - and the two together lighten the "warmness" of bourbon a bit. The maple syrup works as a great natural sweetener while adding some depth, and the basil brings it all home by adding a fresh layer of subtle herbal flavor.
When it comes to the fruit and basil, fresh is absolute best. Avoid using mushy blueberries or any basil leaves that have started to brown, as this will affect the end result. You won't have a good-tasting smash if you use older produce. Trust.
For the bourbon, I recommend using something you wouldn't mind sipping on its own. Maker's Mark or Eagle Rare are a couple of great options, but feel free to use what you might already have on hand! Something to keep in mind is it doesn't have to be top shelf.
The Right Tools to Make a Great Smash
For proper measuring, muddling, and shaking, you'll need a jigger, muddler, and cocktail shaker. The tools I linked to are what I use at home; I especially love the double jigger and shaker. For muddling, you could substitute the actual tool by using the back end of a wooden spoon (though I'd recommend cleaning the spoon immediately after using so the blueberry doesn't stain it).
Part of the reason I love the Oggi shaker so much is because of its sleek design, but mainly (and more importantly), it does a great job at staying shut while shaking up cocktails and it being stainless steel allows me to know when I don't need to shake anymore (when it begins to frost on the outside).
And there you have it! Maybe you've got these ingredients on hand and a bourbon smash is something you'd like to have tonight? You know I'm going to ask you to let me know how you liked it. So please definitely do that! And as always, drink responsibly. <3
By the way, if you love blueberries as much as I do, be sure to check out my recipes for blueberry oatmeal smoothie and blueberry mascarpone pie!
Kitchen Tools Used:
Blueberry Basil Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- 2-3 fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 ounce maple syrup
- juice from half a lemon
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 cup ice cubes
- lemon twist, basil leaf, or blueberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add basil, blueberries, and maple syrup to a shaker and use a muddler to release juices from the basil and blueberries.
- Add in the lemon juice, bourbon, and ice cubes.
- Top shaker with lid and shake for 10-15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker begins to frost.
- Pour everything into a cocktail glass, garnish, and enjoy!*
Notes
Update Notes: This post was originally published on and was republished on July 28th, 2020 with new and improved written content, recipe instructions, photography, and tips. Here's an original photo for this post!
Hi Marissa! I'm not a huge fan of bourbon, but with blueberries, basil and maple how could I not like it! I've been on a basil binge this summer. We have an abundance (we picked enough to fill an eight quart bowl yesterday) of what the plant label said was grape tomatoes - they are actually small roma tomatoes and the other day we picked up a package of fresh mozzarella pearls so combining those with fresh basil was obvious! They make really fun appetizers/snacks on toothpicks, drizzled with a little olive oil and fresh cracked pepper!
Hi Dorothy! Wow, that's a lot of basil! I really love caprese salads so it sounds like you are doing it right making those appetizers! I would probably overload on eating them cause they sound so delicious. I have no self control when it comes to fresh mozzarella! 😀
blueberry and basil (AND BOURBON)? yes please! this sounds fantastic, and perfect for today...
Thanks Kristina! I'm kind of in love with this cocktail right now. <3
I love Blueberry + Basil! Add in bourbon = love at first sip!
Right!? It's a great combo! Thanks Megan!
This looks absolutely refreshing!
Thanks Jackie! I highly recommend it after a long day. 🙂
I love the combination of maple and bourbon! I am going to try this cocktail this weekend. Sounds so yummy!
Thanks Lucy! Let me know how you like it!
I don't love bourbon all that much, but I think made like this, I would manage! 🙂
Thanks Jenn! I find I can't taste the bourbon when I make this drink, but I wonder how someone who doesn't like bourbon would react. I'll have to ask a friend of mine to try this next time she's over to get her opinion - she doesn't love bourbon either!
So love the name of this cocktail, it makes me want to down one even though I have no idea if I like bourbon or not!
Thanks Choclette! There's only one way to find out if you like bourbon or not! 🙂
That is one fantastic looking cocktail, I bet it tastes great!
Thanks Sheena! It's one of my new favorites to make (and especially drink). I'm almost out of blueberries though!
Wow! I love a good cocktail, especially a twist on classic flavours like this. We have almost exactly the same glasses! I'm going to give this a go this weekend for my boyfriend, Matt. He loves bourbon so this will be right up his street. I hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks, Vicki! I hope you both enjoy it. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
Wow, such great combination - A must try!
Thanks Molly!
This sounds SO GOOD! I absolutely LOVE those flavours! It's exactly what I need this Friday. 😀 I need to get my hands on that shaker too. I am in desperate need of one! 🙂
Thanks Dini! I really love the one I purchased; it actually stays shut and doesn't leak when you shake it! 😀
Oh my my my! This is a drink I could get behind!
Yay, bourbon party!
I'm always in for a bit of bourbon fun, not that easy to get decent bourbon out here in Rural Hungary but usually have some knocking around so will certainly have a sup of this later 😀
No worries, Brian - just hop on a plane to the states and I'll have one ready for you when you get here!
I need one of these right now! I'm loving the sound of the blueberry and basil combo.
Come on over, Cristie! I'll make one for you. 🙂
I would not have thought of using basil and blueberries together but it makes sense - sounds delicious!
Thanks Jennifer! I really love the combination of the two.
Oh my gosh! This drink is speaking to me! I love anything and everything basil and the blueberry smash...love them! I will be over in 15 minutes!
Thanks J! I'll have one ready for you!
This sounds awesome! My go-to is wine or beer , but I love a good cocktail.
Thanks, Melanie! I love a good wine or beer! Though I admit beer doesn't love me as much these days. 😉 I may have had a bottle of rose to my face last night. 🙂
This is going on my list next! I would love it if you would link it up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black - a weekly cocktail linkup.
Thanks Pam! I'm very much interested in the linkup - I'll check it out!
I've never cared for bourbon before but this drink is looking like it will change my mind!
Thanks Meredith! Bourbon tends to be my liquor of choice when I'm not in the mood for wine or tequila! 😉
This sounds so good! I love cocktails with blueberries! This is going on my must try list!
Thanks, Michelle! I love them too. 🙂 Let me know how it is when you make it!
Ok, how did you come up with blueberry and bourbon mix? You are so awesome for making a very delicious drink. It looks very classy and creative. I can see Don Draper drinking this
Thanks so much, Rini!
I made this tonight and it is delightful!! I don't tend to make cocktails at home much, but this was easy and delicious. Possibly my new favorite cocktail!
This makes me so happy! So glad you decided to go for it <3 I look forward to you making me one when hanging out is a thing we can do again lol