Cherry Bourbon Smash Cocktail Recipe
Here’s a cocktail that’s honestly hard not to love. Sweet cherries meet bourbon in a drink that’s good any time of year, and you don’t need much to make it at home.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Strainer
- Rocks glass
- Ice
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 6-8 fresh cherries pitted (or 1 oz cherry juice if fresh cherries unavailable)
- ½ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda optional, for topping
- Ice cubes
- Cherry and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Drop the cherries, mint leaves, and simple syrup into your cocktail shaker.
- Muddle gently—enough to get the juice and mint oils out, but don’t pulverize everything into mush.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and a scoop of ice.
- Shake it up hard for about 15 seconds, until the whole thing is frosty.
- Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- If you want a little fizz, top with club soda.
- Garnish with a cherry and a sprig of mint.
Notes
Feel free to tweak the recipe. Like it sweeter? Add a bit more simple syrup. Want a bolder cherry vibe? Toss in extra cherries or a splash of cherry liqueur.
If you’re making a batch for a party, just multiply the recipe. Mix everything but the club soda ahead and stash it in the fridge.
No fresh cherries? Don’t sweat it—frozen cherries or tart cherry juice totally work. Dark sweet cherries give the best flavor, if you’re asking me.