This refreshing strawberry bourbon cocktail is like a strawberry bourbon smash but with bubbly soda or tonic added to make it perfect for cooling down on warm days!
Fresh strawberries are muddled with basil, and simple syrup is combined with bourbon and bubbly tonic water for a completely refreshing summer cocktail!
Why you will love this recipe:
I am such a bourbon lover, and I am always looking for new ways to make summery and refreshing cocktails with my favorite spirit! Strawberry and bourbon go extremely well together, and the bit of basil adds a hint of sweet earthiness to the cocktail. Topping everything off with tonic or soda water makes this sweet bourbon cocktail totally thirst-quenching.
If you're looking for more bourbon cocktails, check out these Gold Rush, French 95, Mint Julep, Peach Slush, and Peach Old Fashioned recipes.
Key ingredients:
Bourbon: this is an alcohol-forward cocktail, so using premium spirits is key! I used a good mellow bourbon, Woodford Reserve, but any premium bourbon will do!
Fresh Strawberries: ripe strawberries are muddled so that they infuse with the bourbon. You can use frozen strawberries; just thaw them so they are easily smashed.
Simple Syrup: this cocktail has just a bit of sweetener to balance and complement the strawberries and bourbon. You can use simple syrup, or even honey, whatever you have on hand.
Lemon Juice: this awakens the flavor in the strawberries!
Basil: This is optional, but it adds some beautiful flavor notes.
How to make this recipe:
This is so easy to make and feel free to adjust the amount of jalapeño to a spice level you're comfortable with.
- Add the strawberries, basil, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle.
- Add ice, followed by the bourbon and lemon juice.
- Shake for 10 seconds, then strain over ice into a glass.
- Top with tonic or soda water.
Tips and tricks for success:
- Make simple syrup by cooking 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small pot on medium heat until all the sugar has melted.
- If you don't have a muddler on hand, you can use a wooden spoon to muddle.
FAQ's
Yes! Just thaw the berries beforehand so that they are easily smashed.
Looking for more cocktail recipes? Check these out!
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Refreshing Strawberry Bourbon Cocktail
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 1 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: cocktails
- Method: shaken
- Cuisine: american
Description
This refreshing strawberry bourbon cocktail is like a strawberry bourbon smash but with bubbly soda or tonic added to make it perfect for cooling down on warm days!
Ingredients
- 2 medium strawberries
- 2 medium basil leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- Tonic water
Instructions
- Add the strawberries, basil, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle.
- Add ice, followed by the bourbon and lemon juice.
- Shake for 10 seconds, then strain over ice into a glass.
- Top with tonic or soda water.
Notes
- Make simple syrup by cooking 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small pot on medium heat until all the sugar has melted.
- If you don't have a muddler on hand, you can use a wooden spoon to muddle
Elizabeth says
Strawberry and bourbon are perfect together!