Blackberry Balsamic Bourbon Smash

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 1½ fl oz bourbon
• 4 fresh blackberries
• 6 small mint leaves
• ¾ fl oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ fl oz prepared 1:1 simple syrup
• ¼ tsp balsamic vinegar, not glaze
• 1 cup ice, for shaking
• ¾ cup crushed ice, for serving

Finish

• 1 fresh blackberry
• 1 small mint sprig

If making simple syrup

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp hot water; omit this group if using prepared syrup

Equipment

Shaker, muddler, fine strainer, 10-fl-oz rocks glass

Allergens and ingredient notes: Alcohol; balsamic vinegar may contain sulfites. Check bourbon and vinegar labels.

Measurements use US fluid ounces (1 fl oz ≈ 30 mL), tablespoons (tbsp), and teaspoons (tsp). Syrup and tea batches may make extra: use only the cocktail quantity listed. These recipes contain alcohol and are for adults 21 and over.

Step by step

1. If making syrup, dissolve its optional sugar in the hot water, cool completely, and measure only ½ fl oz for the drink. Otherwise use prepared syrup and omit that group.
2. In a shaker, press the four cocktail blackberries with the measured syrup until juicy. Add the six mint leaves and press once gently; avoid grinding them into small pieces.
3. Add bourbon, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and the shaking ice. Seal and shake for 12–15 seconds. Fill the rocks glass with the separate crushed ice.
4. Double-strain through the shaker strainer and a fine sieve into the glass, leaving seeds and mint fragments behind. Garnish with the separate blackberry and mint sprig. Use only the measured ¼ tsp vinegar; balsamic glaze would add extra sweetness.

The Devotti twist: A few drops of balsamic deepen the berry flavor while fresh mint lifts the bourbon aroma.

Make ahead and storage

Mix to order. Refrigerate homemade syrup in a sealed container up to 3 days and keep berries chilled until use.

Image: AI-generated recipe illustration; homemade results and presentation will vary.