Blueberry Basil Bourbon Smash is a refreshing summer cocktail, made with fresh blueberries and basil, simple syrup, bourbon and club soda.
July is #NationalBlueberryMonth and this week I'm participating in Blueberry Week, so you get a whole five days of blueberry recipes from me!
While I don't really care to just pop fresh blueberries in my mouth as a snack, I do love to bake with them and mix them into drinks, like this blueberry bourbon smash cocktail. As I've mentioned, I absolutely love bourbon! It pairs so well with fruits in any season so it is always the right time to enjoy a bourbon cocktail! 😃
WHAT IS A BOURBON SMASH?
A smash is one of the oldest types of cocktails that exists, similar to a Mint Julep but it includes fruit or fruit juice. While there is no exact recipe for a smash cocktail, they all have the same ingredients: a spirit, a sweetener, fresh herb and fruit and it's served over ice.
DO I HAVE TO USE BOURBON?
Nope! A smash can be made with whiskey, gin, rum, tequila, etc. Any type of spirit will do. Some fruits go better with certain spirits (like lime and tequila, cucumber and gin, lemon and whiskey) so feel free to change it up based off of what you have and your personal tastes.
WHAT OTHER HERBS CAN I USE?
- Mint, is the most common
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
SIMPLE SYRUP AND LEMON JUICE
Simple syrup is really simple. Sorry, I couldn't pass up saying that, but it totally is. It's just equal parts sugar to water, heated up until the sugar dissolves in the water. You can find plain simple syrup or flavor infused simple syrup in most liquor stores if you don't want to make your own. If you don't have a ripe lemon to squeeze, you can use the frozen or bottled varieties, but taste test because they can be even more acidic than juice from a fresh lemon.
BLUEBERRY BASIL BOURBON SMASH INGREDIENTS
- blueberries
- lemon juice
- simple syrup
- fresh basil
- bourbon
- club soda or seltzer water
Club soda or seltzer water is optional to add, but I think it adds a nice touch to the drink and makes them go down a little easier. Feel free in increase the simple syrup if you like your drinks sweeter or add more bourbon if you want a stronger one.
Recipe
Blueberry Basil Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- 4 oz. bourbon
- 8 oz. club soda or seltzer water or less
- additional basil and blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or bowl, muddle together the blueberries, lemon juice, simple syrup and basil.
- Add the bourbon and shake.
- Divide between two glasses filled with ice.
- Top with club soda if desired. Garnish with additional basil leaves and blueberries.
Thank you to Ellen from Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures for hosting #BlueberryWeek. More than 20 top notch bloggers are sharing a variety of blueberry recipes from breakfast to dessert. Follow #BlueberryWeek on social media so you don't miss one delicious recipe.
Blueberry Week Recipes
Breakfast
-
-
- Blueberry Liege Waffles by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Buttermilk Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes by Palatable Pastime
- Glazed Blueberry Donut Muffins by Sweet Beginnings
-
Drinks and Appetizers
-
-
- Blueberry Basil Bourbon Smash by Cookaholic Wife
- Blueberry Bubble Tea by Our Good Life
- Blueberry Lemon Naan Bread Appetizer by The Freshman Cook
- Blueberry Syrup with (Optional) Bourbon by Food Above Gold
- Roasted Blueberry French Toast Crostini by Daily Dish Recipes
-
Sauces and Spreads
-
-
- Blueberry Barbecue Sauce by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Saucy Honey & Balsamic Blueberry Jam by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Blueberry Curd by Caroline's Cooking
-
Dinner
-
-
- Blueberry Bison Chili by Savory Moments
- Blueberry Romaine Salad by Jolene's Recipe Journal
- Curry Burgers with Blueberry Chutney and Coconut-Lime Slaw by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette by A Day in the Life on the Farm
-
Dessert
-
-
- 5-Minute Blueberry Cheesecake Dip by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Blueberry Cardamom Crisp by Crumb Top Baking
- Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream by Cooking For My Soul
- Blueberry Cobbler by Family Around the Table
- Blueberry Oatmeal Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Blueberry Peach Oatmeal Bars by The Beard and The Baker
- Blueberry, Peach & Brie Slab Pie by The Spiffy Cookie
- Vegan Blueberry Orange Layer Cake by The Baking Fairy
-
Wendy Klik
Love smashes, mine used thyme and tequila LOL.
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
I'm gonna need to pick some basil!!!