This fruity refreshing Blueberry Whiskey Smash is a cocktail you never knew you needed. Made with fresh blueberry syrup, lemon wedges , mint, whiskey and soda water, this cocktail is perfectly flavoured. It’s a delicious summertime that will be a great addition to your cocktail menu.
Cocktails have become my new thing, especially fruity ones I am more of a white spirit (liquor) girl, but quite recently I have been experimenting with brown spirits(liquors) like whiskey. As a novice whiskey drinker, I wasn’t sure this blueberry smash would work and was I pleasantly surprised. Adding blueberry syrup to the whiskey softens it and creates a unique cocktail. It’s definitely a great was to introduce whiskey to non whiskey drinkers.
What’s a Smash?
It’s a cocktail made by muddling together lemons and mint leaves to release the juices and oils, adding whiskey or bourbon, simple syrup and then topping with ice. The drink is then served through a strainer over ice. Over the years, variations of this cocktail have been made with seasonal fruits.
What’s in this Blueberry Mint Whisky Smash Cocktail
Blueberries– They are bursting with juice and is generally. sweet. You can use either fresh or frozen for the blueberry syrup.
Sugar– Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the syrup
Mint – This aromatic herb has sweet flavour and lends a cool minty notes to the cocktail. Use the fresh looking green mint for this cocktail.
Lemon– Adds a citrusy zing to the cocktail
How to Make Blueberry Syrup
The blueberry syrup is the most important part of this cocktail and acts as the sweetener. Either fresh or frozen blueberries to make the syrup. Making this blueberry syrup is super easy and requires only three ingredients. First combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Add the blueberries and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the saucepan. Bring heat down to low and leave to simmer for 10 minutes, until the blueberries are soft and begin to burst. Strain the juices through a fine mesh sieve. Leave to cool completely and then transfer to a jar or bottle. Place in the fridge until you are ready to use.
How to make the Blueberry Mint Whisky Smash Cocktail
For this Blueberry Whiskey Smash you will need a cocktail making set. Mainly the shaker, muddler and the strainer. If you haven’t got one, you can still make the cocktail with a mason jar and a small rolling pin.
Place the lemon wedges and mint in the shaker and muddle. Doing this releases the juices and oils of lemon and mint into the cocktail. Add blueberry syrup, whiskey and ice into the shaker. Cover and shake, shake shake until cold. Finally, strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
Variations to the cocktail
If you don’t fancy making blueberry syrup, you can muddle the whole fresh berries with the lemon and mint. The cocktail will still be delicious.
Blueberries, not your thing, take advantage of summer produce and make this cocktail with either strawberries, raspberries, peaches or blackberries.
Not a whiskey lover, then try using vodka or rum. You can turn this into a mocktail by omitting the bourbon and adding more blueberry syrup.
If you haven’t got soda water, then substitute with sparking water.
I hope you enjoy this cocktail.
For more summer cocktail , check these out
Frozen Strawberry Basil Daiquiri
Blueberry Whiskey Smash Cocktail
Ingredients
- 150 grams blueberries
- 125 ml (½ cup) water
- 100 grams (½ cup) sugar
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 118 ml (4 ounces) whiskey or bourbon
- 6 mint leaves
- soda water, for topping
- Garnish, mint leaves
Instructions
- To make the blueberry syrup, add sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Add blueberry and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and cook on low heat until the blueberries are soft and their skins burst. Pass through a fine mesh sieve into a jug. Leave to cool and transfer to jar or bottle. Refrigerate until you are ready to use.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine mint leaves, and 2 lemon wedges. Muddle gently to release juices and oils.
- Add the blueberry syrup, whiskey and ice. Shake until combined
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a blueberries and a mint sprig.
These were delicious! We used a splash of Topo Chico for the bubbly bit. Can’t wait to try it with blackberries.