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Bring a splash of bold color and bright flavor to your next happy hour with this vibrant raspberry bourbon smash cocktail. It’s a beautiful mix of muddled raspberries, fresh mint and sparkling water, paired with rich bourbon and Chambord for a sweet yet balanced sip. Whether you’re serving it for the holidays, brunch or just because it’s five o’clock somewhere, this cocktail is easy to mix and always impressive. One look at that ruby red hue and you’ll be hooked.
This raspberry bourbon smash cocktail is fruity, fizzy and refreshing. Made with fresh raspberries, bourbon and Chambord, it’s easy to shake up and serve any time.
Also try strawberry lemonade jello shots, butterscotch white Russians or passion fruit martini, plus puff pastry garlic cheese twists to snack on.
Why You’ll Love It
Vibrant and fresh: Bursting with raspberry flavor and a pop of mint.
Easy to mix: Just muddle, pour and top with bubbles.
Perfect for parties: A crowd-pleaser with stunning color and taste.
Versatile: Great for holidays, summer nights or casual sipping.
Raspberry Bourbon Smash Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Bourbon: Adds warmth and depth with smoky caramel notes.
Chambord: A raspberry liqueur that boosts the berry flavor with rich sweetness.
Grenadine: Enhances color and adds a hint of pomegranate.
Cocktail bitters: Adds a balanced, aromatic layer.
Fresh fruit: Raspberries give color and fresh flavor. Choose perfectly ripe, firm raspberries. These berries don’t ripen any further after picking (unlike most others) and they also only stay fresh for a couple of days.
Fresh herbs: Mint adds brightness and a clean finish.
Sparkling water: Tops it off with fizz and lightness.
How to Make Bourbon Raspberry Cocktails
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Muddle the base: Mash raspberries, mint and bitters in the glass.
Add grenadine: Pour over the muddled ingredients.
Pour the spirits: Add Chambord and bourbon.
Add ice and mix: Top with ice and stir to combine.
Finish and garnish: Add sparkling water and garnish with mint and a raspberry.
Substitutions and Variations
Use another whiskey: Rye or Tennessee whiskey can work in place of bourbon.
Try different berries: Swap raspberries for blackberries or strawberries.
Make it zero-proof: Skip the spirits and use raspberry syrup with soda water.
Use lemon-lime soda: For a sweeter, more citrusy twist. Another idea is flavored sparkling water or club soda.
Raspberry liqueur: Substitute raspberry syrup for the Chambord.
Serving Suggestions
With appetizers: Enjoy blackened salmon sliders, million dollar deviled eggs or mini cheese balls with your cocktail.
With a sweet treat: Pair this cocktail with a raspberry white chocolate scone or with raspberry truffles.
How to Store Raspberry Bourbon Smash Cocktails
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and drink within a day. The cocktail mix will lose its sparkle within hours though, so only make as much as you need.
Freeze: Freezing this cocktail would make it flat as it contains sparkling water, so I don’t recommend that.
Top Tips
Use crushed ice: Helps chill the drink faster and creates great texture.
Muddle gently: Don’t over-mash the mint or it may turn bitter.
Chill your glass: For an extra refreshing finish.
Raspberry and Bourbon Smash FAQs
Yes, just muddle the ingredients in the shaker, add ice and shake before pouring.
Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients and mix everything except the sparkling water in a pitcher. Add bubbles just before serving.
Muddling is the act of mashing ingredients (usually fruit is involved) to break them down and release their essence, enhancing the flavors. If you don’t have a muddler, just use the bottom of a wooden serving spoon or similar.
Raspberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail Recipe
Raspberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Equipment
- Muddler or Wooden Spoon
- Cocktail Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Ounces bourbon
- ½ Ounce Chambord, or similar raspberry liqueur
- 1 Teaspoon grenadine
- 1 Dash cocktail bitters
- 4 raspberries
- 1 Sprig mint
- sparkling water
Instructions
- Place 4 raspberries and 1 or 2 mint leaves torn into pieces in the bottom of the glass. Add a dash of bitters.
- Pour in the grenadine.
- Using a muddler, mix and mash the ingredients in the glass carefully.
- Add ice.
- Now add the Chambord. And then the bourbon.
- Mix well and then top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a raspberry and sprig of mint.
Notes
Muddle gently: Don’t over-mash the mint or it may turn bitter.
Chill your glass: For an extra refreshing finish.
Nutrition
The raspberry bourbon smash cocktail is everything you want in a drink: bold, beautiful and bursting with flavor. With fresh raspberries, a hit of mint and just enough bourbon to keep things interesting, it’s a cocktail that suits nearly every occasion. Whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself to a solo sip, this one delivers on taste, looks and ease. Try this easy bourbon Chambord cocktail just once and it might just become your go-to signature sip.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This looks like it’s super delicious. I’d definitely want to make this for my friends when they come over.
I’m a fan of any drink w/ Chambord! This one sound divine! Perfect for the season and beyond!
This looks nice and refreshing for summer! Love how you explained all the ingredients. Pining!
So tasty, I definitely need to give this a try, I love raspberries
I am saving this idea for Christmas!