Sweet cherries and bourbon are a natural match, especially when the fruit is muddled enough to release its deep color and fresh juice. This Cherry Bourbon Smash keeps things simple while still delivering a cocktail that feels made for a warm evening by the smoker.
Fresh lemon cuts through the sweetness while simple syrup rounds everything out. The bourbon stays front and center, bringing vanilla, oak, caramel, and a little warmth underneath the fruit.
A splash of club soda finishes the drink without turning it into a highball. It adds just enough fizz to make the cocktail lighter and more refreshing while leaving plenty of bourbon character behind.
For an extra Smoking Swines touch, garnish it with a fresh cherry and a lightly charred lemon wheel. You can also briefly smoke the cherries before muddling them if you want another layer of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4–5 fresh cherries, pitted
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1–2 oz club soda
- Ice
- Fresh cherry, for garnish
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the pitted cherries and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Muddle thoroughly until the cherries have released their juice.
- Add the bourbon and fresh lemon juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- Double-strain the cocktail into the glass for a cleaner drink, or strain normally if you prefer pieces of muddled cherry.
- Top with 1–2 ounces of club soda.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry and lemon wheel.
Optional Smoked Cherry Version
- Place the pitted cherries in a small grill-safe pan.
- Smoke at 225°F for 10–15 minutes using cherry, pecan, or oak.
- Remove the cherries and let them cool completely.
- Use 4–5 smoked cherries in place of the fresh cherries.
- Prepare the cocktail using the same instructions above.