Our Winter Berry Smash recipe makes a refreshing and festive winter cocktail that combines the tartness of fresh blackberries with the warmth of a smooth bourbon.
This shaken bourbon smash cocktail incorporates fresh mint, lime juice, and a touch of rich and sweet turbinado simple syrup, making it an ideal choice for cozy winter evenings or holiday gatherings.
Whether you're hosting a festive party or relaxing by the fireplace, the Winter Berry Smash adds a vibrant splash of color and flavor to your seasonal cocktail repertoire.
Quick facts about the Winter Berry Smash cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Flavor profile: Tart, sweet, minty, and rich
- How to serve it: In a double old-fashioned glass over ice, garnished with mint leaves and a lime wedge
- Glassware: Double old-fashioned glass
- Alcohol content: Approximately 17.4% ABV, 18 grams of alcohol per serving
Ingredients
- 7 blackberries, divided: Fresh blackberries provide a tart and sweet berry flavor essential to this blackberry bourbon cocktail.
- 6 mint leaves, plus extra for garnish: Mint adds a refreshing herbal note that complements the berries and bourbon.
- ¾ oz rich turbinado simple syrup: This homemade sweetener made from turbinado sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the cocktail.
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds acidity and balances the sweetness.
- 2 oz bourbon: A smooth bourbon gives the cocktail its warm, robust character, perfect for winter drinks.
- 1 oz club soda: Club soda adds a touch of effervescence to lighten the drink.
For the Rich Turbinado Syrup:
- ½ cup filtered water: Used to dissolve the sugar and create the syrup.
- 1 cup organic turbinado sugar: Turbinado sugar provides a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the syrup.
Required Bartending Tools
- Cocktail shaker: Essential for shaking and blending the ingredients thoroughly.
- Muddler: Used to gently muddle the blackberries and mint, releasing their flavors.
- Measuring jigger: For accurate measurement of liquids to ensure balanced flavors in your holiday cocktail.
- Double old-fashioned glass: The ideal glassware to serve this cocktail over ice.
- Small saucepan (if you make the syrup yourself): Needed to prepare the rich turbinado simple syrup.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make this Cocktail
- Prepare the Rich Turbinado Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine ½ cup filtered water and 1 cup turbinado sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.
- Muddle Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, place 4 blackberries, 6 mint leaves, ¾ oz rich turbinado simple syrup, and ¾ oz fresh lime juice. Gently muddle the ingredients to release the flavors without over-crushing the mint.
- Add Bourbon and Ice: Pour in 2 oz of bourbon and add several ice cubes to the shaker.
- Shake Vigorously: Secure the lid and shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds or until well-chilled.
- Pour into Glass: Add a few ice cubes to a double old-fashioned glass. Open the shaker and pour the entire contents into the glass, including the muddled ingredients.
- Top with Club Soda: Pour 1 oz of club soda over the cocktail and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra mint leaves and the remaining blackberries if desired.
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Muddler
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Small saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.75 oz Rich turbinado syrup - *Find the recipe in the notes section
- 1 oz Chilled club soda
- 7 Blackberries
- 6 Mint leaves
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, place 4 blackberries, 6 mint leaves, ¾ oz rich turbinado simple syrup, and ¾ oz fresh lime juice. Gently muddle the ingredients to release the flavors without over-crushing the mint.
- Pour in 2 oz of bourbon and add several ice cubes to the shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds or until well-chilled.
- Add a couple ice cubes to a double old-fashioned glass. Open the shaker and pour the entire contents into the glass, including the muddled ingredients.
- Pour 1 oz of club soda over the cocktail and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with extra mint leaves and the remaining blackberries if desired.
Notes
- ½ cup filtered water: Used to dissolve the sugar and create the syrup.
- 1 cup organic turbinado sugar: Turbinado sugar provides a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the syrup.
FAQs
Yes, frozen blackberries can be used if fresh ones are not available. Thaw them before muddling for the best flavor extraction.
You can use demerara syrup or a syrup made of regular brown sugar as a substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Absolutely! Replace the bourbon with apple cider or a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative to enjoy a mocktail version.
Yes, the rich turbinado syrup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.