Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash
A robust bourbon cocktail brightened with muddled blackberries and fresh sage, offering a fragrant and fruity sip with earthy notes. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together Bourbon, Fresh blackberries, leaves Fresh sage leaves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 6 pieces Fresh blackberries
- 4 leaves Fresh sage leaves
- 3/4 oz Lemon juice
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- as needed Ice cubes
- 1 piece Sage sprig
- 1 piece Blackberry
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, muddle 6 fresh blackberries with 4 fresh sage leaves and 1/2 oz simple syrup until the berries are crushed and sage is fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice to the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes to the brim and stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Double strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Step 5: Garnish with a fresh sage sprig and a single blackberry skewered on a cocktail pick, resting on the rim.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover blackberry sage bourbon smash in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
