This Blueberry Vanilla Bourbon Smash recipe has a lot to offer every adult cocktail palate!  From it's soft herbal hints of crushed juicy blueberries, to the sweetness of the simple syrup, its calming vanilla and bourbon combo, to it's zesty lemon, and finally the freshness of the muddled mint - this one is an all-round winner!

Backstory:

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  My parents and brother came into town and we spent the whole weekend outside in the warm sun, grilling and sipping on delicious drinks like this blueberry vanilla bourbon smash.

This wasn't the first time that this bourbon smash was a hit at a get together.  I made this drink at a Kentucky Derby party this year that the family and I went to.  The combination of the blueberries and the vanilla give a light and sweet taste, with the bourbon adding a bit of sharpness for your sipping pleasure.

And of course you can make the bourbon smash into a mocktail by taking out the bourbon and you still have a tasty fizzy drink to enjoy all summer long.

Simple Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, cut into slices
• fresh blueberries
• handful of fresh mint leaves
• vanilla
• your favorite bourbon (or whiskey)
• simple syrup (make your own! I'll show you below!)
• ice
• a can club soda

The vanilla you use for the recipe matters.  I like using Nielson-Massey vanilla for the bourbon smash. The pure vanilla extract gives off the perfect flavor to mix with the blueberries and citrus.  Be sure to use a high-quality vanilla for this recipe!

* My family is slightly partial to "Urban Bourbon", AKA Woodford Reserve.  My mother and I decided to randomly tour the distillery one day while in Kentucky and we fell in love with the taste and with the time we got to share together (how often do you get to taste test bourbon with your mom?).

Cocktails in 3 Easy Steps:

1. Take 4 cocktail glasses and place One lemon slice and ⅛ cup of blueberries evenly into the four glasses. Take 2 medium-large mint leaves and place them on top of the fruit in the bottom of each glass and muddle until the lemon and berries have been crushed.
2. Then add ½ teaspoon vanilla, 1 shot of bourbon, and 1 ounce of simple syrup to each glass and stir. Add in ice to each glass and then top the rest of each glass with club soda until full.
3. Add a fresh sprig of mint leaves and/or a lemon slice as garnish and serve immediately while still bubbly and chilled. Cheers!

Pro Tips:

For even more minty flavor from the mint leaves, hit (or"smack") the leaves in between your hands a few times.

Others will think you're crazy, but it will release a more intense aroma and flavor!

You can also turn this drink into a mocktail by leaving out the shot of bourbon. It tastes delicious and refreshing!

How to Make Simple Syrup:

You can buy simple syrup on the shelves of many grocery and liquor stores. However, you can also easily make your own at home. Here is how to make your own simple syrup:

1. Grab equal parts granulated sugar (white sugar) and water. (ex. ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup water).
2. Add both to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Boom! Done.

Cocktail Variations:

If you don't have blueberries or which to use a different berry, I would recommend trying this cocktail recipe with either blackberries or raspberries.

And if you are more of a lime person versus lemon... then I say, go for it! I've done this recipe using raspberry and lime, and blackberry and lime combinations and it's AMAZING!

Lastly, if you don't have bourbon....sad face... then use a whiskey that you have on hand.

Sugar the Rim:

Another option I sometimes will do, depending on my audience whom I'm entertaining, I will line the rim of each cocktail glass with sugar.

To do this, flip the cocktail glass upside down and run a trickle of water along the rim.

Then add a bit of sugar to the bottom of a small plate and twist the wet rim of the overturned glass on the sugared plate.

The sugar will stick to the wet rim of the glass.

Flip the glass right-side up and make your cocktail as described in the recipe card.

Recipe Pairings:

Food. This cocktail pairs great with food, great friends, and fun conversations.

Any food. Peruse this site for inspiration.

Leftover Cocktails:

You won't have any, so don't worry about this. Skip to the next section of this recipe!

More Cocktail Recipes!

Bourbon Cider Sours

Frozen Watermelon Jalapeno Bellini

Spiked Chili Mango Lemonade

Skinny Champagne Margaritas

Lemonade Mint Julep

Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito

Honey Bear Cocktail

Pomegranate Cranberry Sangria

Recipe Summary:

If you make my Berry Bourbon Smash, let me know in the comments! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!

Also- be sure to follow me on Instagram and hashtag #BlessHerHeartYall or tag @BlessHerHeartYall – I love seeing and hearing the delicious things you make!

If you love this Vanilla Berry Bourbon Smash recipe, be sure to follow me on social media so you never miss a mouth-watering post:

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**I also must say that I do NOT condone underage drinking, and please drink very responsibly.  Okay?  Thanks!

This post was first published on May 12, 2015 and last updated, including pictures, on June 29, 2020.