Blackberry Sage Whiskey Smash
A herbaceous and fruity whiskey cocktail highlighting fresh blackberries and sage, balanced with lemon and a touch of honey. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together bourbon whiskey, fresh blackberries, fresh lemon juice 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 185 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 whiskey
- 5 fresh blackberries
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 4 leaves fresh sage leaves
- as needed crushed ice
- 1 sage sprig
- 1 for garnish blackberry
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 5 fresh blackberries and 4 fresh sage leaves into a cocktail shaker. Muddle gently to release juices and aromas without pulverizing.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon whiskey, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz honey syrup into the shaker.
- Step 3: Fill the shaker with crushed ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled.
- Step 4: Double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh crushed ice to remove seeds and leaf bits.
- Step 5: Garnish by skewering 1 blackberry and a fresh sage sprig on a cocktail pick and resting it across the top of the glass.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blackberry Sage Whiskey Smash take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Whiskey Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover blackberry sage whiskey 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 Whiskey 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 Whiskey 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 Whiskey 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.
