This Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash blends muddled blackberries, lime juice, sugar, and bourbon, topped with ginger beer and frosted blackberries. It is a delicious way to get into bourbon (if you are not already), looking as lovely as it tastes! If you are in the mood for something lighter, save some fresh blackberries and try my Blackberry Moscato Cocktail for a fruity, wine-based twist.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Blackberries: Fresh blackberries will be frozen on skewers for garnish and muddled for the cocktail. If you prefer the frozen berries to have a sugar-coated look, lightly coat them before freezing.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the blackberries and sugar, giving the drink a refreshing, citrusy kick. I needed 2 large limes for 3 tablespoons of lime juice. Have another lime available to cut into wedges for serving.
- Bourbon: The base of the spirit is bourbon. It doesn’t have to be top-shelf (the most expensive); just choose one that you enjoy sipping. If you don’t have bourbon, rye whiskey would be good, or try it with rum, brandy, or cognac.
- Ginger Beer: Ginger beer is not actually beer; it’s a non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage with a spicy, ginger flavor. It adds bubbles and a little kick, balancing the sweetness and giving the drink a refreshing, bubbly finish. Ginger ale would be a close substitute for ginger beer. Or, add club soda with ginger syrup. For a refreshing fizz, but without the spice of ginger beer, add lemon-lime soda.
Can I Use Frozen Blackberries?
Yes, you can use frozen blackberries in this frosted blackberry bourbon smash. Just muddle them as you would fresh ones, but they may release more juice, so you might want to use a little less sugar. Frozen blackberries also work great for garnish and will help keep the drink cold.
Can I Substitute A Different Fruit For Blackberries In this Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash?
Yes, you can substitute different fruits for blackberries in the Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash. Try using raspberries (I want to try those), blueberries, or strawberries for a delicious twist!
How To Make A Non-Alcoholic Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash Mocktail
To turn the Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash into a mocktail, you can simply replace the bourbon with a non-alcoholic substitute and still keep the other ingredients the same. Here’s how:
- Replace the bourbon with a non-alcoholic whiskey or bourbon alternative. Or, you can use apple cider or a combination of fruit juices (like blackberry juice and lime juice) for a fruity base.
- Keep the muddled blackberries, lime juice, and sugar to maintain the original flavor.
- Use ginger beer as is, since it’s non-alcoholic and adds that fizzy, spicy kick.
- Garnish with frosted blackberries and lime wedges as usual.
This way, you’ll have a refreshing, alcohol-free version of the original cocktail!
Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
Frosted Blackberries
- 6-9 fresh blackberries
- 3 toothpicks or cocktail pins
Blackberry Bourbon
- ½ cup (72 g) fresh blackberries
- 3 tablespoons lime juice, about 2 large limes
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 8 ounces ginger beer, divided
- frosted blackberries, for garnish
- lime wedges, for garnish
- ice
Instructions
- Skewer 2-3 blackberries onto each of the two toothpicks or cocktail pins. Place the skewered blackberries on a small plate or tray and transfer to the freezer for 2 hours.
- To a cocktail shaker, add fresh blackberries, lime juice, and granulated sugar. Muddle the mixture to release the blackberry juices.
- To the shaker, add bourbon and ice. Cover and shake until the mixture is well chilled.
- Fill 3 lowball glasses with ice. Strain the blackberry mixture evenly between the glasses.
- Top each glass with ginger beer.
- Remove the skewered blackberries from the freezer and place one on each drink as garnish. Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is a refreshing twist on a bourbon drink—sweet, tart, and the frosted blackberries add a fun touch!
Elizabeth
I am a fan of bourbon, but not ginger beer or ginger ale, so this didn't do much for me. However, I would try it with club soda instead of the ginger beer.
Bella
This was too sweet for me, but it is pretty!
Selena
I liked balance of bourbon and blackberry flavors. And, the ginger beer gave the cocktail a nice fizz.
