Lemon Raspberry Bourbon Smash
This easy and quick cocktail will make you look like a pro bartender! With just a few simple ingredients, and plenty of ways to customize, it’s perfect for last-minute company on a summer evening.
May 27, 2020
This summery drink is great for when you want to feel fancy but don’t have all the coolest supplies on hand — like bitters or vermouth or a variety of liqueurs. I rarely seem to have the fancier items, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a fun cocktail anyway! Of course, it might not compare to that pricey cocktail at your favorite bar, but we’re talking about apples and oranges here.
Do you have some booze? Some fruit? Something bubbly? Great.
Honestly, when you’re in a pinch, I feel like that’s all you really need to make a successful drink – cocktail or mocktail!
This time, I used Larceny Bourbon, fresh raspberries, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and sparkling grapefruit water. It’s a very simple recipe that would work in a variety of formats.
1. Muddle the fruit, sugar, and any juice in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
2. Add bourbon and ice, and shake (never shake with sparkling beverages in there! It will explode!)
3. Pour over ice-filled glasses and add sparkling water.
4. Garnish with raspberries and lemon!
Modifications
Sweetener:
- Simple syrup would work in place of sugar
- Leave sugar out if you choose a sweetened sparkling drink instead, like Italian soda
Fruit:
- Blueberries and blackberries both work very well in place of raspberries
- Limes are a welcome addition or substitution
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, just muddle the fruit, sugar, and lemon juice in the bottom of your glasses. Stir in the bourbon, then sparkling water, and top with ice and garnish
Lemon Raspberry Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Moscow mules, or other cocktail glasses
- Muddler, or spoon
Ingredients
- 10 fresh or frozen raspberries, or other berry
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup, optional (omit if using sweetened mixer)
- 3 oz bourbon whiskey
- 8 oz sparkling flavored water, such as grapefruit
- lemon wedges or peels, for garnish
Instructions
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add about 2/3 of the raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Smash the mixture until the berries are broken down.
- Add the bourbon and ice, and shake or stir vigorously.
- Pour the mixture over two ice-filled glasses. Top with sparkling water, and stir gently.
- Garnish with remaining raspberries and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Substitutions:
-
- Blueberries and blackberries both work very well in place of raspberries.
- If you'd rather use a sweetened sparkling beverage, like San Pellegrino, just omit the sugar.
-
- If you don't have a cocktail shaker, muddle fruit, sugar, and lemon juice in the bottom of your glasses. Stir in the bourbon, then sparkling water, and top with ice and garnish.