Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Smash
A rich bourbon cocktail with fresh blackberries and warm vanilla, muddled for a fruity and smooth finish. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh blackberries, vanilla syrup 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 fresh blackberries
- 0.75 oz vanilla syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 mint sprig
- as needed crushed ice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a sturdy mixing glass, muddle 6 fresh blackberries with 0.75 oz vanilla syrup until the berries are crushed and release their juice.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice to the glass.
- Step 3: Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice and stir gently for 20 seconds to chill and combine flavors.
- Step 4: Pour the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh crushed ice.
- Step 5: Garnish by lightly bruising a mint sprig and placing it on top for a fragrant finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blackberry Vanilla Bourbon Smash take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (8 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 Vanilla Bourbon Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover blackberry vanilla 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 Vanilla 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 Vanilla 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 Vanilla 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.
