Peach and bourbon enthusiasts, meet the summer cocktail of your dreams: the Peach Bourbon Smash! A fruit-infused approach to your typical whiskey-based cocktail and a delicious tribute to summer, you’ll be reaching for this refreshing, simple cocktail all season long. You need only five ingredients!
This time of year, peaches are among my favorite fruits. When summer arrives, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves, get creative, and incorporate peaches into as many dishes as I can. Peach cobbler, peach prosciutto salad, strawberry peach burrata salad… the list is endless! But my determination to eat this fuzzy, juicy fruit at every meal doesn’t end there — I love peaches in my drinks, too.
Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite peach cocktail recipes to help beat the heat when the temperatures are on the rise: a peach bourbon smash. Bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this mixed drink blends fruit and citrus seamlessly without compromising the bold and timeless character of bourbon.
In other words, if you’re new to whiskey, welcome — glad you’re here! If you’re a tried and true fan, your old fashioneds and whiskey sours can take a night off while you enjoy this fresh, summery take on a classic spirit.
Jump to:
What Is a Bourbon Smash?
The classic bourbon smash is a relatively modern cocktail creation, drawing its foundation from traditional mixed drinks like the mint julep and whiskey smash. The term “smash” comes from the method of making it — literally smashing or muddling the fruit, herbs, and citrus ingredients together to create a harmony of flavors and aromas.
Its balanced flavor profile and refreshing ingredients like herbs, citrus, and fruit (in our case, peaches!) make it the perfect peach whiskey drink to cool you down all summer long.
Why You'll Love It
- Balanced flavor profile. You’ve got a little bit of everything in this bourbon peach smash: fruit, citrus, sweetener, herbs, and of course, bourbon. However, the magic lies in its balanced flavor profile; no ingredient overpowers the others.
- Approachable. The bourbon smash is a real crowd pleaser! Bright and revitalizing without losing its roots, this smash won’t intimidate a whiskey newcomer while satiating a true bourbon connoisseur.
- Only 5 ingredients in 4 simple steps. Yes, you read that right — you only need a handful of ingredients to make a flawless peach bourbon cocktail. Simple and straightforward, this peach bourbon smash will be on rotation all season.
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
This simple, but special cocktail is perfect for hosting. Let’s turn this drink into a whole moment:
- Elegant Summer Dinner Party: Serve these in vintage coupe glasses with a sprig of thyme and a peach slice for easy, elevated hosting!
- Poolside Refresh: Batch the smash with coconut water and blend it up for a slushier, sip-all-day version — think frozen but not frozen solid.
- Girls’ Night In: Set up a DIY Smash Bar — different herbs, agave, simple syrups, and fruits so everyone can create their custom Rosy Moment!
Important Ingredients
Citrus, honey, herbs, bourbon, and peaches make for a refreshing — and foolproof — cocktail. In fact, you probably have most of, if not all, the ingredients in your pantry already.
- Bourbon - With its strong and balanced flavor profile, bourbon stars as the main character in this drink. A high-quality bourbon will complement the natural sweetness of the fresh peaches and the zesty citrus of the lemon juice.
- Peaches - You’ll need ½ of a peach, sliced. Of course, fresh peaches are the best, but if you’re in a pinch, you can swap frozen peaches. Just make sure they are defrosted so you can muddle and stir them easily.
- Lemon Juice - Citrus is key in a bourbon smash cocktail, and this one is no exception. An ounce of lemon juice gives it the bright, invigorating aroma it’s known for. You can also use lime juice.
- Honey or simple syrup - Keep it sweet with a dash of honey! I prefer using honey as a natural, healthier sweetener, but you can always use a simple syrup, agave, maple syrup, or any sweeteners of your choice.
- Thyme - Freshen up the smash with a sprig of thyme, plus use some extra for a garnish. Basil or fresh mint leaves also work great.
Swaps and Substitutions
With a few easy swaps and substitutions, you can take your bourbon smash to the next level.
- Dilute with sparkling water for a lighter finish. If the smash is tasting too strong for you, a splash of club soda will help temper the flavor.
- Berries. If you don’t have peaches on hand, you can use blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. Mmm!
- Herbs. A traditional bourbon smash calls for fresh mint, but I love adding thyme. You can also use rosemary, lavender, or sage to elevate the overall flavor.
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: In a shaker or sturdy glass with a lid, muddle the peach slices, lemon juice, honey, and thyme until juicy and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add the bourbon and a handful of ice. Cover and shake well until chilled.
- Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Step 4: Garnish with a peach slice, and a basil, thyme, or mint sprig.
Top Tip
Select a high-quality bourbon, ideally in the 90-100 proof range. The smooth, strong, and balanced flavor pairs super well with the peach and citrus notes. Consider a brand like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, or Knob Creek.
Tips for the Perfect Peach Bourbon Smash
- Muddle gently. Despite its name, a peach bourbon smash requires gentle muddling to release its vibrant flavors. No pulverizing, please. Over-muddling can result in bitter flavors.
- Shake with ice. Add ice cubes or crushed ice to the cocktail shaker, then shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker is cold and frosty. Strain well to remove the solids and pour the cocktail over fresh ice before serving.
Bourbon Smash Variations
You can take a bourbon smash in as many directions as you want — the world is your oyster! Here are a few variations that are just as tasty.
- Lemon Slices — For a fresh touch, use lemon wedges and not just the juice. Muddling the rinds will release oils that produce a fresh and intense citrus flavor.
- Georgia Smash — This is essentially a peach bourbon smash, but with an extra sweet twist. You can go in two directions: scrap the fresh peaches all together and use a peach liqueur, or add the peach liqueur in with the fresh peaches for a flavor boost.
- Ginger Smash — Not keen on fruity cocktails? A ginger smash might be right up your alley. Instead of fresh fruit, muddle fresh ginger with the lime wedges and herbs for a kick of spice.
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash — Swap 3-4 fresh blackberries for the peaches and follow the recipe directions as listed. For a blueberry bourbon smash, use blueberries instead. Either way, muddled with the lemon wedges, you’ll experience a deliciously tart burst of flavor.
💡Recipe FAQ
Yes, peach and bourbon make a great pair. The fresh, natural sweetness from the peach mixed with the rich, warm notes from the bourbon bring out the flavorful notes of each.
A bourbon smash is made from fresh fruit like peaches or berries, citrus, herbs, a sweetener, and bourbon.
Related Recipes
If you tried this Peach Bourbon Spritz Recipe, or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Peach Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- ½ ripe peach, sliced plus extra for garnish
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz honey or simple syrup
- 2 oz good-quality bourbon
- 1 sprig fresh thyme plus more for garnish
- Ice crushed or cubed
- Optional: splash of soda water for a lighter finish
Instructions
- In a shaker or sturdy glass, muddle the peach slices, lemon juice, honey, and thyme until juicy and fragrant.
- Add the bourbon and a handful of ice. Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and a peach slice.
Notes
- Muddle gently. Despite its name, a peach bourbon smash requires gentle muddling to release its vibrant flavors. No pulverizing, please. Over-muddling can result in bitter flavors.
- Shake with ice. Add ice cubes or crushed ice to the cocktail shaker, then shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker is cold and frosty. Strain well to remove the solids and pour the cocktail over fresh ice before serving.
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