Bourbon is kind of my thing (hence the name of the blog). This cocktail is totally perfect for summer. It’s fresh, colorful, refreshing and best of all; perfectly potent. I’ll be making some variation of this drink all summer long!
All the fresh flavor comes from an easy simple syrup made with mixed berries and rhubarb. The lime and mint give it a nice freshness and balance with the bourbon. It’s all served up over ice to keep you from melting into a puddle on a hot summer day.
Best of all, you can mix it ahead in big batches. Simply shake each serving with ice just before serving to chill.
Rhubarb-Berry Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Start to Finish: 10 minutes
Rhubarb-Berry Simple Syrup
1 vanilla bean
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 stalks rhubarb, chopped
1 cup fresh (or frozen) mixed berries
Cocktail
1 lime wedge
2 fresh mint leaves
2 fresh berries (strawberry, raspberry or blackberry)
1 oz Rhubarb-Berry Simple Syrup
2 oz bourbon
3 dashes bitters
Lime wedge, mint leaves, fresh berries for garnish, if desired
To Make The Rhubarb-Berry Simple Syrup: Split vanilla bean lengthwise into halves. Scrape out seeds with tip of a small knife; set aside.
In a 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar, water, vanilla seeds and bean. Add in rhubarb and berries. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; set aside to cool, about 1 hour.
Strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer to remove vanilla bean, berries and rhubarb. Pour syrup into a glass jar. Cover jar; refrigerate until needed. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
To Make The Cocktail: In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the lime, mint and fresh berry with 1 oz of the rhubarb-berry syrup. Add ice, bourbon and bitters. Shake and strain into a lowball glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a wedge of lime and a sprig of mint.
Makes 1 Cocktail
When rhubarb is no longer in season, mix and match with any fruit for a nice seasonal cocktail.
More Cocktail and Rhubarb Love:
History of the Smash from Imbibe Magazine
Vanilla Roasted Rhubarb and Strawberries from Epicurious
In Season: Rhubarb Cocktails from Huffington Post
