What Type of Bourbon Is Best for a Blackberry Bourbon Smash?

bourbon bottles on a bar with fresh blackberries

A well-made blackberry bourbon smash highlights the marriage between the spirit’s warmth and summer berries’ brightness. Not all bourbons shine equally in this cocktail—their flavor, proof, and sweetness play pivotal roles in shaping the final drink. Choosing the right bourbon elevates both the blackberry notes and the overall balance, so let’s break down the ideal options.

How Bourbon Influences the Blackberry Smash

Bourbon, by law, must be at least 51% corn, giving it a signature sweetness. Its other ingredients—rye for spice, wheat for softness, malted barley for earthiness—alter the flavor profile. For a blackberry bourbon smash, focus on these attributes:

Proof: 40–50% ABV (80–100 proof) stands up to muddled fruit and dilution, keeping the cocktail lively instead of washed out.
Mash bill: High-rye bourbons (such as Four Roses, Bulleit) offer spice and dryness, working well if you want contrast with blackberry sweetness.
Wheated bourbons (think Maker’s Mark, Larceny) add softness and a mellow character, ideal if you prefer a rounded, fruit-forward smash.
Age: Younger bourbons (2–4 years) are more vibrant and less oaky, which can be refreshing with fresh blackberries.
Oak & vanilla: Mid-aged bourbons (5–8 years) emphasize caramel and vanilla—themes that amplify blackberry’s jammy side.

Expert-Recommended Bourbons for a Blackberry Bourbon Smash

For this cocktail, avoid ultra-aged or high-proof specialty bottlings that can overpower the fruit. Consider these widely available picks, which consistently deliver balance in a bourbon blackberry smash:

Buffalo Trace (45% ABV): Well-structured, gently sweet, classic bourbon flavors—fantastic with berries and mint.
Elijah Craig Small Batch (47% ABV): Rich vanilla and baking spice, enough depth to come through muddled fruit and citrus.
Four Roses (40% ABV): A touch more rye for an edge of spice, keeping your smash sharp and vibrant.
Maker’s Mark (45% ABV): Soft, wheated, rounds off tart blackberry flavors for a smoother sip.
Wild Turkey 101 (50.5% ABV): For those who like a bolder, more robust spirit that holds up in a fruit-forward cocktail.

If you only have one bourbon on hand, taste a bit with a blackberry or two: If it tastes too spicy or oaky, scale back slightly in your recipe or add a touch more syrup.

Ideal Blackberry Bourbon Smash Recipe

Here’s a classic approach for a bourbon blackberry smash recipe, designed to let your spirit of choice shine alongside the other ingredients:

60 ml quality bourbon (see recommendations above)
30 ml fresh lemon juice
15 ml simple syrup
4–5 fresh blackberries
8 fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice
Blackberry and mint sprig for garnish

Method:

Muddle blackberries, mint, and simple syrup gently in a shaker—just enough to release juice and aroma.
Add bourbon and lemon juice. Fill shaker with ice and shake 8–10 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.
Top with blackberry and mint sprig.

blackberry bourbon smash in rocks glass with mint and blackberry garnish

Tips for Choosing and Using Bourbon in Smashes

Avoid heavily oaked or smoky bourbons—they can obscure the fruit and mint elements.
For a sweeter, dessert-like profile, try a wheated or softer style bourbon.
If you enjoy a livelier, slightly more tart cocktail, select a bourbon with higher rye content.
Use fresh blackberries for the brightest color and taste—frozen works in a pinch (thaw and drain before muddling).
Crushed ice boosts dilution and texture, allowing bourbon flavors to mellow and mingle with fruit and herbs.

muddling blackberries and mint in cocktail shaker