Cocktail Saturday has really become my favorite recipe of the week. These drinks are just so much fun and I love creating them for you guys. Today’s berry-filled bourbon (or tequila) smash is probably the most “me” drink. Or the drink I’d remake for myself time and time again. Ok well, actually? I’d also do this spicy cucumber margarita time and time again as well. Oh, and the (extra) dirty horchata too. You know what? Never mind. I love all these drinks equally and I just can’t choose a favorite. The point is, I’m loving this berry smash for today. It’s the last Saturday of April and I felt the need to share something colorful and very springy + very easy to create. Jumping into details and keeping this post short and sweet as always…because it’s Saturday and we have cakes to be baking, dinners, to make, and cocktails to mix up.
To make this blueberry smash…
It’s simple and so darn easy. You need a few things. Blueberries for one, fresh thyme (but you could also do without if you don’t have), lemons, jam (blueberry or blackberry), bourbon (but tequila is nice too), elderflower liquor (also known as St. Germain), and sparkling water. Oh, and a little sugar too if you want to make a sweet and fun rimmed glass. First, start with the sweet lemon lined rim. It’s simply lemon zest, thyme leaves, and a pinch of granulated sugar mixed together. It adds such a sweet and lemony touch to each drink. It’s that “extra special” touch your drink needs.
Next, find yourself a cocktail shaker or even just a mason jar. Muddle together the blueberries, thyme leaves, and fresh lemon juice until those berries are all smashed down. Muddling the blueberries with the thyme infuses the thyme’s flavor into the drink in a subtle, non-overpowering way. Now, add the blueberry jam (or honestly any berry jam). This creates an intense, much more concentrated berry flavor. I love marrying fresh berries and sweet jam together. It’s a double the berries experience, and it’s beyond good. The jam also sweetens the drink. Add the bourbon and elderflower liquor, and then shake, shake, shake. At this point, strain the drink into your glass and top off with sparkling water for a touch of fizz. SIMPLE. But also so pretty and so darn close to perfect.
Swaps and substitutes…use what you’ve got.
If you don’t have blueberries, but do have blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries, use either of these berries. Any berry is great and they’re all going to taste delicious. So use what you have or use what you love most. No fresh berries? Use frozen, but let them thaw a bit so that you can easily muddle them down. Tip? Top the drink with additional frozen berries, they will help to chill your drink. Same goes for the jam as it does with the berries. If you don’t have blueberry jam, use another berry jam. And if you don’t have jam at all? Use additional berries and sweeten the drink to your taste with honey or sugar. And if you don’t love bourbon? Use tequila. Elderflower liquor missing from your pantry? That’s a little sad to be honest…but just use additional bourbon or a dash of bitters if you have those (yum)! Soo, now you have zero excuses (hopefully). You can make this berry smash today!
My Saturday suggestion?
Since we’re all stuck at home, let’s plan a fun Saturday night in the kitchen. Why not? We don’t have much else to do this weekend. So, here’s my perfect Saturday night in… Start with this blueberry lemon thyme smash…of course. Then add a little dinner and serve up this week’s quick-cooking Thai black pepper chicken and garlic noodles. But before anything else, you should actually start by making dessert. How about Tuesday’s skillet strawberry bourbon cobbler…it’s a double shot of bourbon kind of Saturday night. And then? Switch it up, instead of Netflix, enjoy your smashes while playing some fun games with your “quarantine” crew, or maybe your zoom date. Not too bad for a Saturday night at home…again.
Lastly, if you make this blueberry lemon thyme smash, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!x
