Oh my goodness, summer is here, and you absolutely NEED a go-to cocktail that just screams sunshine and relaxation, right? Well, let me tell you about MY absolute favorite: the Strawberry Bourbon Smash with Lemon and Mint. Seriously, this drink is like a little vacation in a glass. It’s got that perfect balance – the sweet burst of fresh strawberries, the cool, zesty kick of lemon and mint, all rounded out by the warmth of good bourbon.

I first stumbled upon a version of this years ago at a little bar down south, and I swear, it was life-changing. I came home determined to recreate that magic, and after *ahem* several “taste-testing” sessions (purely for research purposes, obviously!), I finally landed on this combination. It’s my personal happy place in a glass, and trust me, once you try this Strawberry Bourbon Smash, it’ll be yours too. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but fancy enough for guests. Let’s make some!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Okay, so why is THIS the drink you need in your life right now? Let me count the ways! It’s not just another cocktail; it’s an experience. Here’s the lowdown on why this Strawberry Bourbon Smash is about to become your new best friend:

It’s SO Quick: Seriously, you can whip this up in about 5 minutes. Perfect for when you need a delicious drink *now*.
Crazy Refreshing: The combo of fresh fruit, bright lemon, and cool mint is just… wow. It’s like a cool breeze on a hot day.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here! Just fresh stuff you can easily find, plus your favorite bourbon.
That “Smash” Magic: Gently muddling those strawberries and mint really unlocks their flavor, making the drink taste super fresh and vibrant.

It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and boozy. Trust me, one sip and you’ll get it!

Essential Equipment for a Perfect Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Alright, before we get messy with those delicious strawberries, let’s make sure you have the right tools for the job! Don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy home bar setup, just a few key pieces will make all the difference for your Strawberry Bourbon Smash.

Cocktail Shaker: This is your best friend for getting everything perfectly chilled and mixed. A good vigorous shake is key!
Muddler: You need something to gently coax the flavor out of those strawberries and mint. A muddler is designed just for this!
Jigger: Precision matters in cocktails! A jigger helps you measure your liquids accurately so you get the perfect balance every time.

Having these simple tools on hand makes whipping up this smash a total breeze!

Ingredients for Your Strawberry Bourbon Smash with Lemon and Mint

Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff – what you’re actually going to put into this glorious drink! The beauty of this Strawberry Bourbon Smash is how simple the ingredients are, but using fresh, quality stuff really does make a difference. You don’t need a million things, just a few key players working together.

6 medium strawberries: Make sure they’re ripe and sweet! We’re going to give these a little “smash” to release their juicy goodness.
4–6 mint leaves: Fresh is non-negotiable! The mint adds that incredible cooling aroma and flavor. You can always add a few extra for garnish later.
2 ounces bourbon: Use a bourbon you actually like to drink neat! It’s the backbone of the cocktail.
1 ounce fresh lemon juice: Squeeze it yourself! Bottled just doesn’t have the same bright, zesty punch.
1/2 ounce simple syrup: This is just equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves, then cooled. You can adjust this to how sweet you like things.
Ice: Plenty of it for shaking and serving!

That’s it! Simple, right? Now let’s get to mixing!

How to Prepare Your Strawberry Bourbon Smash with Lemon and Mint

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – actually making this glorious Strawberry Bourbon Smash! It’s super straightforward, I promise. Think of it as a little dance between the fresh stuff and the bourbon. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a perfectly refreshing drink in your hand in no time.

The key here is using those fresh ingredients we talked about and giving them a little love to really unlock their flavors. Don’t rush it, but don’t overthink it either! We’re going for deliciousness, not rocket science.

Muddling the Base of Your Strawberry Bourbon Smash

First things first, grab your cocktail shaker. Toss those lovely fresh strawberries and the mint leaves right into the bottom. Now, take your muddler. This isn’t about smashing everything to oblivion! You want to gently press and twist to release the juices from the strawberries and the fragrant oils from the mint. Just a few good presses, maybe 4 or 5, until you see the strawberries start to break down and you can really smell that minty aroma. You don’t want a total mush, just enough to get those flavors going.

This little bit of effort here makes a huge difference in the final taste of your Strawberry Bourbon Smash. It’s like waking up the ingredients!

Shaking and Straining for the Best Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Now for the rest of the party! Add your measured bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker with your muddled strawberries and mint. Next, fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice. Pop that lid on nice and tight! Now, give it a really good, vigorous shake. We’re talking about 15-20 seconds. You want that shaker to get frosty on the outside – that’s how you know it’s properly chilled.

The shaking does two things: it chills the drink down perfectly, and it helps to further mix and dilute everything just right. Once you’ve shaken it like you mean it, grab your serving glass (filled with fresh ice, of course!). Use a strainer (most shakers have one built-in, or use a fine-mesh sieve) to strain the beautiful pink mixture into your glass, leaving behind the muddled bits and the ice from the shaker. Give it a final garnish with a fresh mint sprig if you like, and boom! Your perfect Strawberry Bourbon Smash is ready.

Tips for Crafting the Ideal Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Making a great Strawberry Bourbon Smash is pretty easy, but a few little tricks can take it from good to absolutely amazing! Trust me, these small things make a big difference.

First, **taste and adjust that sweetness**. The recipe gives you a starting point with the simple syrup, but berries vary in sweetness, and so do people’s preferences! Give it a quick taste before you strain, and if you need a little more sweetness, add a tiny splash more syrup and give it another quick shake.

Also, **use a bourbon you actually enjoy**. You don’t need the most expensive bottle on the shelf, but if you wouldn’t sip it on its own, it’s probably not going to make a great cocktail. Find a smooth, medium-bodied bourbon that you like.

Lastly, remember that **gentle muddle**! You’re not trying to pulverize the strawberries and mint. Just enough pressure to release those beautiful flavors and aromas. Too much, and you’ll end up with bitter flavors from the mint and cloudy drink.

Variations for Your Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Okay, so you’ve mastered the classic Strawberry Bourbon Smash (yay you!). But guess what? This recipe is super forgiving and easy to play around with! Once you have the basic technique down, you can totally make it your own.

Feeling adventurous? **Swap out the strawberries!** Raspberries, blackberries, or even slices of peach would be amazing here. Just muddle them gently just like you did the strawberries. Or how about trying a different herb? Basil or even a little rosemary could add a really interesting twist instead of or alongside the mint.

You could even **play with the sweetener**. Try maple syrup for a different kind of richness, or use honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water, stirred until dissolved) for a floral note. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little and find your perfect smash!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Strawberry Bourbon Smash with Lemon and Mint

Okay, you might have a few questions popping up as you get ready to mix your Strawberry Bourbon Smash. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some common ones!

Q: Can I use something other than simple syrup? Absolutely! If you don’t have simple syrup handy, you can use a little granulated sugar or honey. Just make sure to stir it really well with the lemon juice first to help it dissolve before adding the other ingredients. Maple syrup works too for a different flavor!

Q: How do I make a big batch for a party? Easy peasy! Just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Muddle the strawberries and mint in a large pitcher, add the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir well. When you’re ready to serve, pour it over ice in individual glasses. Don’t add ice to the pitcher, it’ll just dilute everything too much before your guests are ready!

Q: Any tips for the best garnish? A fresh sprig of mint is classic and adds a lovely aroma as you sip. You can also slice a strawberry or a lemon wheel to pop on the rim of the glass. It makes your Strawberry Bourbon Smash look extra fancy!

Making this bourbon cocktail should be fun and easy, so don’t stress! Enjoy your delicious strawberry drink!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Okay, so while we’re definitely enjoying ourselves with this delicious Strawberry Bourbon Smash, sometimes it’s nice to have a general idea of what’s in it, right? Now, keep in mind that this is just an estimate! The exact numbers can totally change depending on the specific ingredients you use (like how sweet your strawberries are or the exact bourbon) and how much simple syrup you add.

But as a ballpark figure for one serving of this delightful bourbon cocktail, you’re looking at roughly:

Calories: Around 200
Sugar: About 15g (mostly from the strawberries and simple syrup)
Sodium: Very low, maybe 5mg
Fat: Pretty much zero!
Carbohydrates: Roughly 18g
Fiber: A little bit, maybe 1g from the fruit
Protein: Negligible

Again, this is just a rough guide! The most important thing is to enjoy your homemade strawberry drink responsibly and deliciously!

Enjoy Your Delicious Strawberry Bourbon Smash

Seriously, you’ve just made something truly special! Go ahead, take a sip of that beautiful Strawberry Bourbon Smash. I hope it brings a little burst of sunshine to your day, just like it does for me. Give this recipe a try, and please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below or rate the recipe – I’d absolutely love to hear how your smash turned out!

Terrible 5-Minute Strawberry Bourbon Smash Bliss

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing cocktail with strawberries, bourbon, lemon, and mint.

Ingredients

Scale

6 medium strawberries
4–6 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
ice

Instructions

Muddle strawberries and mint in a cocktail shaker.
Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
Shake well.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish with mint.

Notes

Adjust simple syrup to your preferred sweetness.
Use fresh ingredients for best flavor.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: strawberry, bourbon, smash, lemon, mint, cocktail, drink