Bold, juicy, and seriously refreshing.
Hey there!
This strawberry bourbon smash is one of those drinks that hits every single note—sweet from the berries, fresh from the mint, zingy from lemon, and warm from the bourbon.
It’s my go-to cocktail when I want something that feels fancy but comes together in 5 minutes flat.
I first made it during a backyard BBQ with friends and it stole the show.
People literally asked for the recipe between sips.
It’s a summer-in-a-glass kinda situation.
You’ll love how easy it is, and even more, how good it tastes.
📝 What You’ll Need
- 4 large ripe strawberries, hulled and halved
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup (store-bought or homemade)
- Crushed ice
- Extra mint and lemon wedge for garnish (optional)
🔥 Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something so satisfying about this drink—it’s simple, bold, and a little fancy without trying too hard. Here’s why I make it on repeat:
- Strawberries + bourbon = magic
- Fresh mint keeps it bright and cool
- Takes under 5 minutes to make
- Looks like you spent way more time than you did
- Perfect balance of sweet, tart, and smooth
🧪 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Muddling the strawberries and mint releases oils and juice, giving you max flavor.
- Acid from the lemon balances the sweetness.
- Crushed ice chills the drink faster and dilutes just enough to mellow out the bourbon.
- Simple syrup dissolves smoothly and sweetens evenly, unlike granulated sugar.
⏲️ Yield + Time
Servings: 1 cocktail
Time: 5 minutes total
🔥 Macros (Approximate)
- Calories: 185
- Carbs: 14g
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
🍹 How to Make It
Step 1: Muddle the fruit + mint
In a cocktail shaker, add 4 halved ripe strawberries, 6 fresh mint leaves, and the juice of ½ lemon. Use a muddler to mash everything together until juicy and fragrant.
Step 2: Add bourbon + simple syrup
Pour in 2 oz of bourbon and 1 oz of simple syrup. Stir gently.
Step 3: Add ice + shake it up
Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker, cover, and shake well for 10-15 seconds.
Step 4: Strain over crushed ice
Fill a short glass with crushed ice. Strain the shaken drink into the glass.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
Top with extra mint and a lemon wedge if you want. Serve immediately.
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Use ripe strawberries. If they’re super sweet and juicy, your drink will shine.
- Don’t over-muddle mint. Just a gentle press—too much will make it bitter.
- Shake with plenty of ice to chill fast and slightly dilute (in a good way).
- Make your own simple syrup. Just equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved.
- Double the recipe and make two at once if you’ve got company.
🛠️ Tools You’ll Need
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Short tumbler glass
- Strainer (fine mesh if you want it extra smooth)
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- No bourbon? Try dark rum or tequila for a twist.
- No fresh strawberries? Use frozen (thaw first).
- Add fizz: Top with club soda for a bubbly version.
- Herb swap: Try basil instead of mint for a fun flavor change.
- Sweeter drink: Add more simple syrup to taste.
⏳ Make Ahead Tips
- You can muddle the fruit, lemon, and mint up to a few hours ahead. Store it covered in the fridge.
- Simple syrup can be made days in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a month.
❌ Common Mistakes
- Over-muddling mint = bitter, grassy flavor. Just press gently.
- Using underripe strawberries = weak flavor. Use ripe and red ones.
- Skipping the shake = uneven mix. Shaking blends everything perfectly.
- Not enough ice = warm drink. Crushed ice chills fast and makes it perfect.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- Grilled meats (like burgers or ribs)
- Fresh salads with goat cheese or berries
- Charcuterie boards
- Anything at a backyard BBQ
- Light summer desserts like lemon bars or shortcake
❓ FAQ
Can I make this non-alcoholic?
Yep! Just leave out the bourbon and use club soda or iced tea instead.
What kind of bourbon is best?
Use something smooth and not too smoky—Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, or Maker’s Mark are great.
Can I batch this?
Yes! Just scale up the ingredients. Muddle everything in a pitcher and add bourbon right before serving.
What if I don’t have a muddler?
Use the back of a wooden spoon!
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
Honestly, this is best fresh. But if you pre-make a batch (without ice), it’ll keep in the fridge for about 1 day. Just shake or stir again before serving over fresh crushed ice.
🥃 Wrap Up
This strawberry bourbon smash is seriously one of those drinks that makes you feel like a bartender in your own kitchen. It’s bold, juicy, and super refreshing—perfect for any time you want to impress without any stress. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out! Drop a comment below if you made it or if you have questions—I’d love to hear from you. Cheers! 🍓🥃
