It’s Memorial Day Weekend. The unofficial start to summer. It’s currently raining like a monsoon here in Miami. No worries, no plans over here (current quarantine situation, right?) However, it is a 3-day weekend and that alone is a cause for a celebration! Having an extra day-off to work on things around the house is always welcome. Mowing the lawn, trimming a few tree branches, working on the blog and as always working on a few recipes. Enter this Bourbon Smash!
Bourbon Smash: Creating Recipes
I bought a bottle of bourbon around the holidays for a party. No one must like bourbon because I had the whole bottle leftover. And while my roots are from Kentucky I must say bourbon is not my favorite either. But during the current quarantine, bourbon is one of the alcohols that I’ve had and didn’t have to go out and buy. Let the experimenting begin! I am not a big drinker, however, on the weekends I’ve been creating recipes! Funny thing is, I’m actually starting to like the bourbon, however, that’s because you can’t taste that it. Simple syrup to the rescue!
Straight bourbon on the rocks I might not ever be able to do. However, a few of the drink concoctions I’ve made up haven’t been so bad. I’ve made quite a few variations on the simple syrup: mint syrup, blueberry syrup, lavender syrup, and all have been quite tasty. You really can make this syrup and drink what you want. Learning as I go and also topping off my drinks with kombucha. Sure you can use a club soda or a ginger beer, but my go-to has been kombucha. And again, all drinks have been tasty.
Bourbon Smash: Added Sugar
I can read your mind and already know what you’re thinking. Why am I showing you a sugary drink two weeks in a row? Valid question and worth explaining. In an ideal world there would be no sugary drinks. Sugary drinks are linked to multiple chronic conditions. My nephew just this week wrote a piece in opposition of the sugary drink ban in New York. He had valid points and even all my statistics didn’t sway him. However, we had a great discussion on added sugar and ultimately the issues at hand, not just sugary drinks.
The truth is I rarely have a sugary drink. Desserts with added sugar I do have one every day. Paying attention to portions is key! controlled amount. My added sugar/day is typically only from my dessert. Added sugar is lurking in many hidden places. Years ago I switched out a few products I was using with added sugar and found products that didn’t or had less. Think bread, spaghetti sauce, crackers. The hardest switch for me was with my coffee. I used to put a tablespoon, aka three teaspoons, in one cup of coffee and had 3 cups of coffee/day. Little by little I was able to decrease the amount of sugar I used down to none.
Back to the simple syrup. Is it added sugar? Yes. Can it be enjoyed on occasion? Yes. Does it get included in your added sugar for the day? Yes. Do I prefer to get my added sugar from desserts? Almost always. Unless it’s a holiday and I’m having a Bourbon Smash. Enjoy the long weekend my friends and make yourself an adult beverage. Cheers!
Print Simple Syrup
A simple syrup is a great addition to mixed drinks. Literally just sugar and water that cooks down make a syrup. Additions of mint, lavender, and other flavors makes the syrup flavors endless!
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Combine – in a medium saucepan the sugar and water.
- Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved.
- Allow to cool. Add to drinks – start with a tablespoon & add more as needed (if needed).
Notes
*Mint Simple Syrup: Add 1 cup of mint leaves with the sugar and water. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes. Pour syrup into a glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove mint leaves; let cool.
*Blueberry Syrup: Add 1-pint (fresh or frozen) blueberries to the water and sugar. Boil until the berries begin to burst, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool for 5-10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up-to one month (if it lasts that long).
*Lavender Simple Syrup: Add 1 tablespoon fresh lavender leaves (culinary grade) to the sugar and water. Remove from the heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes. Pour syrup into a glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove blossoms; let cool.
*I’m using the simple here mixed into an alcoholic drink, however, these can be used in teas, coffees, and even for desserts. Hello, oat milk lavender latte!
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Drinks
Bourbon Smash
My go-to base recipe: 1 1/2 ounces alcohol, 1 oz lemon or lime juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, with kombucha to top it off. This one features Bourbon. Make it tonight!
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz lemon OR lime juice (I’ve used both – it’s what I have on hand)
- 1 oz blueberry simple syrup or 1/2 oz regular mint syrup (I’ve used the blueberry and mint)
- Kombucha to top off, I use 4-6 oz (or more – remember I don’t like to taste the bourbon)
- Lemon or Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with the kombucha. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge if you have any left (it is quarantine – use all, waste not!).
- Enjoy!
Notes
*If you wanted a flavor but didn’t want to make the blueberry syrup (it involves blending the blueberries, I get it!) you can use 2 tablespoons of jam (whatever flavor you fancy) and you get a flavored Bourbon Smash of your choice!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drinks
7 thoughts on “Bourbon Smash”
Thanks for the ratio/instructions on how to make a simple syrup!
Simply the best!
Not always a fan of bourbon, but definitely adding this to try!
Thanks for the ratio! I’ve always wondered what the amounts were!
Definitely giving this a try!
Pun intended – so simple!
Definitely going to have to give bourbon another try!