Name: Raspberry Sage Bourbon Smash
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon 🥃 – A smooth, rich base with notes of caramel and spice.; 1/4 cup fresh raspberries 🍇 – Bright, juicy sweetness with a hint of tartness.; 3–4 fresh sage leaves 🌿 – Earthy and aromatic, providing herbal complexity.; 1/2 oz honey or simple syrup 🍯 – For subtle, natural sweetness; honey adds richness while syrup gives neutrality.; 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice 🍋 – Adds acidity and brightness to balance the drink.; Ice ❄️ – Essential for chilling and dilution.; Sage sprig and raspberries for garnish – A visually striking and aromatic finish.

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon 🥃 – A smooth, rich base with notes of caramel and spice.
1/4 cup fresh raspberries 🍇 – Bright, juicy sweetness with a hint of tartness.
3–4 fresh sage leaves 🌿 – Earthy and aromatic, providing herbal complexity.
1/2 oz honey or simple syrup 🍯 – For subtle, natural sweetness; honey adds richness while syrup gives neutrality.
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice 🍋 – Adds acidity and brightness to balance the drink.
Ice ❄️ – Essential for chilling and dilution.
Sage sprig and raspberries for garnish – A visually striking and aromatic finish.

Instructions

Muddle the herbs and berries: In a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass, add the fresh raspberries, sage leaves, and honey or simple syrup. Use a muddler to gently mash them together. You want to break down the berries to release their juice and bruise the sage to release its essential oils without pulverizing it into bitterness.
Add the bourbon and lemon juice: Pour in the 2 oz of bourbon and 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice. These will combine with the muddled ingredients to create the cocktail’s flavorful base.
Fill with ice and shake: Add a generous amount of ice to the shaker, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This chills the drink and helps the flavors integrate fully.
Strain and serve: Double strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Double straining ensures that none of the berry seeds or sage bits make it into the glass, creating a smooth sipping experience.
Garnish with intention: Top the drink with a sage sprig and a couple of raspberries for a fragrant and eye-catching finish.

Notes

If entertaining, you can pre-muddle the raspberries, sage, lemon juice, and honey/syrup and store the mix in the fridge for up to 12 hours. When ready to serve, simply add bourbon, ice, shake, and strain. You can also batch the cocktail, mixing everything (minus the sage garnish) in a large pitcher and serving over ice.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 170–200
Sodium: 3–6 mg
Protein: 0.3 g