Bourbon Peach Smash
I have a drink that will make you imagine you’re sitting on a gorgeous wrap-around porch, rocking away while the wisteria sends wafts of fragrance through the air as you’re sipping this Bourbon Peach Smash! This is definitely a southern cocktail that is a perfect drink for your early afternoon cocktail hour.
So for those of us who are not in the South and have to resort to our patios, let’s get out our cocktail shakers and start slicing up some peaches! I am a lucky girl because my girlfriend’s parents, Will and Sandy, gifted me with fresh-picked peaches from their friend’s tree. I also got a beautiful bag of peaches from my sweet neighbor Suha! Both bags were sweet and ready to use! You want to use very ripe peaches to get the optimum peach flavor.
Because you’re mixing this up with fruit, it is not necessary to pull out the really good bourbon. I went with a mid-grade bourbon. You’ll find that the taste of bourbon pairs so nicely with peach, and the bit of lemon and mint brightens the whole cocktail up. The touch of brown sugar makes it perfection in a glass! This is a well-loved combo in the South, and now I know why—because it truly is delicious!
Ready to impress? Follow these simple steps…
Ingredients That Make the Magic
Use the Ripest Peaches You Can Find
Fresh, sweet peaches are the backbone of this cocktail. The riper they are, the more flavor they’ll bring to your drink.
Go for a Mid-Range Bourbon
Save the fancy stuff—this cocktail is all about balance. A solid mid-tier bourbon blends beautifully with the peaches and enhances the caramel and vanilla notes.
Sweetener Options
I prefer brown sugar for its depth and how it compliments the bourbon, but feel free to use agave or simple syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
To Blend or To Muddle?
Blender Method (Recommended)
A bullet-style blender makes this cocktail ultra smooth. Blend the peaches, lemon juice, mint, and sugar into a puree before adding bourbon and ice to your shaker. Shake, strain, and pour!
Muddling Method (Traditional)
If you don’t have a blender, muddle the ingredients until the peaches are well smashed. It’s a bit more hands-on and can be messier, but still delivers a delicious result.
Mixing & Serving Tips
- This recipe yields one large cocktail (about 12 oz), but can easily be split into two smaller drinks.
- Serve over plenty of ice in a rocks glass or any short cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a peach slice and a fresh sprig of mint for a polished, Southern-inspired finish.
A Toast to Summer
There’s just something about a bourbon peach smash that feels like summer in its finest form. Whether you’re lucky enough to sip yours on a breezy porch or lounging on your patio, this cocktail brings the Southern charm to any setting.
So grab your shaker, raise your glass, and toast to sunshine, sweet peaches, and slow afternoons. Happy Cocktail Hour!
Bourbon Peach Smash
Equipment
- 1 Blender Or you can use a Muddler
- 1 Cocktail Strainer
Ingredients
- 4 Oz Bourbon
- 1/2 Large Peach peeled and cut into cubes Heaping 1/2 cup
- 1/2 Lemon Juiced
- 5-6 Mint Leaves
- 1 TB Brown Sugar or 1 oz Simple Syrup if you prefer
Garnish
- 1 Sprig Mint
- 1 Slice Fresh Peach
Instructions
- In a Bullet type Blender add Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, Mint Leaves, Brown Sugar and Chopped and Peeled Peaches
- I prefer to use the Blender because it makes a really delicious and smooth puree
- Mix till Pureed – Pour into Ice filled Cocktail Shaker and add Bourbon
- Shake well and using a Cocktail Strainer pour over ice in a large Rocks Glass or two small glasses
- Garnish and Serve
Muddling Instructions
- Add Juice, Sugar, Leaves and Peaches and Muddle for five minutes or so till you have the peaches completely smashed
- Add Bourbon and Ice and Shake Well then strain through a Cocktail Strainer or a fine mesh Sieve into an iced filled glass.
- Garnish and Serve
