Bourbon Smash Cocktail

This Bourbon Smash Cocktail is a fresh, seasonal spin on the classic whiskey smash recipe you can make in the summertime.

Using bourbon and a bit of club soda, this bourbon smash libation is full of fresh fruit and the zing of cinnamon we enjoy when it’s cold outside.

You know I love sharing our favorite cocktails with you, and this one is no different! It’s a fabulous mix of rich, rustic flavors. It’s strong, but sweetened with simple syrup, berries and herbs… and I think you’re going to love it!

Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this post, and don’t forget to pin it and save for later!

What Is A Bourbon Smash?

This cocktail is king.

Known as the king of cocktails, bartender Dale DeGroff at the Rainbow Room in New York modified the mint julep (fresh mint, simple syrup) by adding muddled lemon wedges to create the whiskey smash.

A whiskey smash is a mixture of fruit muddled and smashed and mixed with bourbon to create a unique flavor.

It is often citrus fruits that are placed in a container and smashed with a muddler, and finally strained into the old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice, mint leaves and fruit wedges.

I love creating fresh new cocktails for you, and wintertime is the perfect opportunity to snuggle up by the fire with a new recipe.

Check out my oatmeal cookie cocktail, peppermint white russian, snowball (with amaretto – yum!) and spiked hot chocolate for more of the best winter favorites!

Bourbon vs Whiskey

Raise your hand if you know the difference between bourbon and whiskey? 

Let’s keep it as simple as possible.  Whiskey can be produced just about anywhere. Bourbon whiskey must be produced in the United States.  

Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. The grains typically include malted barley, rye, corn or wheat. The whiskey is aged in oak barrels for months, even years to develop a unique flavor.

Would it confuse you more if I told you a whiskey sour was actually made with bourbon?

In fact, Bourbon is American barrel-aged whiskey that is also aged in oak barrels. However, it must be made from 51% fermented corn mash, also barrel-aged in white oak barrels to give them a distinct color and flavor.

Bourbon Smash Ingredients

• Bourbon
• Blueberries – frozen
• Lemon
• Cinnamon
• Club soda

The bourbon adds distinction to the Winter Smash cocktail, and fresh fruits add the citrus flavor. Fresh lemon and blueberries are smashed and strained over the glass of ice, bourbon and cinnamon.

How to Make a Bourbon Smash

1. Begin by placing lemon wedges and blueberries in a jar or glass. 
2. Now, we get to smash! Using a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon), smash the fruit in the glass so you can easily see their juices. Add a half teaspoon of cinnamon and poor into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
3. Fill your rocks glass with crushed ice.
4. Next, add your favorite bourbon. Four Roses, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey are three favorites I keep on hand.
5. Using a cocktail strainer, strain the smashed fruit into your glass.
6. Finally, top with club soda.

Looking for pretty and practical old-fashioned glasses? I love these, and they are such an affordable set!

I’d love to hear from you if you make this delicious winter bourbon smash recipe. Are you a bourbon loving household?

Loving all this holiday cocktail inspiration? I’ve got a free incredible round-up of 13 of the BEST Christmas Cocktails!