Carbondale Cherry Bourbon Smash
A vibrant bourbon cocktail with muddled fresh cherries and a hint of mint, capturing the lively family-friendly spirit of Carbondale evenings. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh cherries, 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 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
- 5 pieces fresh cherries
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 6 leaves mint leaves
- 1 oz club soda
- 1 sprig mint sprig
- 1 piece cherry
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, muddle 5 fresh cherries with 6 mint leaves and 0.5 oz simple syrup until the cherries release their juice and mint is fragrant.
- Step 2: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes to the brim, then add 2 oz bourbon and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and blend flavors.
- Step 4: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with large clear ice cubes.
- Step 5: Top with 1 oz club soda and stir once more lightly.
- Step 6: Garnish with a mint sprig and a fresh cherry skewered on a cocktail pick resting on the rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Carbondale Cherry Bourbon Smash take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 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 Carbondale Cherry Bourbon Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover carbondale cherry 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 Carbondale Cherry 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 Carbondale Cherry 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 Carbondale Cherry 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.
