Backyard BBQ

Cherry Bourbon Smash

June  4, 2021
5
2 Ratings
Photo by Bette Blau. Prop Stylist: Brooke Deonarine. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi.
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • makes 1 cocktail
Author Notes

Is there any cocktail more refreshing than a bourbon smash? In this cocktail, Basil Hayden® Kentucky Straight Bourbon is infused with fresh muddled cherries, basil, lemon wedges, and just a hint of honey syrup. For a more refined drinking experience, the recipe strains the muddled fruit and herbs out and serves the cocktail over a big rock to maintain maximum chill. The sweet-tart cherries and fragrant basil play nicely with the smooth, lightly spiced notes of the Basil Hayden®, but this bourbon’s versatility means you could swap in almost any of your favorite fruits or herbs.

To make the honey syrup, combine equal parts honey and water in a saucepan set over medium heat, and stir until the honey is dissolved. Let it cool and store in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Simple syrup would also work great here.
Max Rappaport

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe is shared in partnership with Basil Hayden®.

Basil Hayden® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol. ©2021 Kentucky Springs Distilling Co., Clermont, KY —The Editors

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Cherry Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
  • 2 parts Basil Hayden® Kentucky Straight Bourbon
  • 1/2 part honey syrup
  • 5 fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
  • 4 fresh cherries, pitted (plus more for garnish)
  • 4 lemon wedges
Directions
  1. Add all the ingredients to an empty cocktail shaker.
  2. With a muddler, gently press down on the contents of the shaker 4 or 5 times, just until everything is lightly muddled (too much will incorporate bitterness from the lemon pith).
  3. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds—or until the sides of the shaker are frosty and cold.
  4. Fine-strain the cocktail into a glass filled with one large ice cube. Garnish with additional cherries and fresh basil, and serve.

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1 Review

Holly July 17, 2021
Omg, this dangerous fantastically amazing!!!