Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash
The easiest Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash—just right for kicking off your Summer Cocktail Saturday. Fresh summer cherries are muddled with garden basil and thyme, bright lemon, smooth bourbon, a splash of Cointreau, a touch of white wine vinegar, and topped with fizzy, spicy ginger beer. It’s a quick, garden-inspired cocktail that feels effortlessly special. Finish it with a lightly sweet, gingery sugar rim, and it’s one everyone will come back for.
Ingredients
- 6 Fresh or Frozen Cherries
- 4 Basil Leaves
- 1 Tsp Thyme Leaves, Fresh
- 1/2 Lemon, juiced
- 1 1/2 ounces Bourbon
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau
- 1-2 tsp White Wine Vinegar, to tastse
- Ginger Beer, for Topping
GInger Sugar (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 2 tso Ginger, Grated Fresh
- 2 tsp Thyme, Chopped Fresh
Instructions
- 1. To make the ginger sugar. Combine the sugar, ginger, and thyme on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in sugar, then fill with ice.
- 2. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, muddle the cherries, basil, thyme, and lemon juice, squashing everything to release the juices. Add the bourbon, Cointreau, and vinegar. Fill with ice and shake until combined.
- 3. Strain into prepared glasses. Top off with ginger beer, then gently stir to combine. Finish with basil and a cherry on top. Enjoy.
Aliyah's Notes: Use a mild flavored Bourbon, like Sazarec Rye Whiskey. It will pick up the floral notes of the Thyme will not overpowering everything else. Teighan's Notes: If You Don't like Bourbon: use tequila! To Make a Mocktail: omit the vodka and add 1 additional tablespoon lemon juice and 1 additional teaspoon apple cider vinegar.
