Made simply with 5 ingredients, it’s the perfect sip for hot summer days.

It’s a refresing cocktail that’s sure to become a summer favourite!

Summer cocktails using fresh fruit like this Peach Basil Wine Spritzer and this Cherry Bourbon Lemonade Smash are my favourite this time of year.  And, since it’s peach season it’s the perfect time to enjoy juicy peaches in a cocktail too!

A classic cocktail like this smash usually include a fresh, seasonal fruit that is muddled with sugar or a simple syrup at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Then, this mixture is shaken with a spirit, in this case your favourite bourbon whiskey.  Finally, it’s strained into a rocks glass with fresh ice (preferably crushed ice).

If you’re a bourbon lover like me, you’re sure to love the combination of flavours in this smash recipe; sweet peaches pair beautifully with smooth bourbon whiskey. And, while I love an old fashioned cocktail in the cooler months, this peach whiskey smash cocktail does the trick in the heat of the summer.

Why you’ll love these peach whiskey cocktails

• With fresh peaches, this cocktail takes just minutes to make!
• You can use your favourie bourbon whiskey in this cocktail.
• It’s a refreshing summer sipper that’s made with simple ingredients.
• Easily adaptable to suit your tastes.

Ingredients needed to make this cocktail recipe

Fresh peaches: fresh peach slices are KEY to this cocktail recipe; the more ripe the peach the better as it will be easier to muddle in the cocktail shaker.

Brown sugar: when muddled with the peaches, the brown sugar helps to bring out their natural sweetness even more.

Bourbon whiskey: the bourbon whiskey you use will have a great deal to do with how this cocktail tastes so be sure to choose one that you enjoy. See below for some of my favorite bourbon recommendations.

Fresh mint: fresh mint leaves are used to garnish this cocktail and are muddled with the peaches to add to the overall flavour profile of this recipe.

Ginger soda: both ginger beer and ginger ale can be used to top this cocktail depending on your tastes (ginger beer can have more of a punchier ginger flavour than ginger ale) or you can use soda water in a pinch.

How to make peach simple syrup

While this recipe is made with fresh peaches, you’ll find some recipes are made with a peach simple syrup. If you want to take that extra step, you can make a fresh peach syrup with the following ingredients: 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup chopped fresh peaches. Add the water, sugar and fresh chopped peaches to a small pot and bring to a simmer over high heat. Once simmering turn the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set the peach simple syrup aside to cool and once cool, strain it into a container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use 2 oz in the cocktail recipe instead of muddling a ripe peach – you can find full notes on how to make the cocktail with the simple syrup in the recipe below.

Step by step instructions to make this bourbon peach smash

Step 1: To a cocktail shaker add fresh peach slices and brown sugar.  Muddle gently to break down the peach slices. You can use a muddler from a bar set or if you don’t have one, just use the bottom of a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Add mint leaves and gently muddle, pressing down a few more times.

Step 3: Pour the bourbon into the cocktail shaker and add a handful of ice. Alternatively, add the peach simple syrup, mint leaves and bourbon to a cocktail shaker along with ice and shake.

Step 4: Shake for 10-20 seconds to combine.

Step 5: Add crushed ice to a rocks cocktail glass and strain cocktail shaker mixture over the ice. Top with a splash (1-2 oz) of ginger ale or ginger beer and garnish with mint and a peach slice. Cheers and enjoy!

Variations on this peach whiskey smash cocktail

There’s a few other summer fruits you can substitute in place of peaches and mint to make other delicious summer smash cocktails!

• Blackberries and mint
• Strawberries and basil
• Nectarines and mint

Expert tips for making these peach whiskey cocktails

• When muddling, you want to press the ingredients in the cocktail shaker against the side and bottom of the shaker to break them down gently. The goal is to release the flavours from the ingredients. You want press and twist when muddling versus trying to break the ingredients down into a paste.
• Make sure to use ripe peaches when making this peach bourbon cocktail. A ripe peach will give you the most flavour and provide the perfect balance with the bourbon. If you don’t have ripe peaches on hand, try a the peach simple syrup or peach nectar.
• Crushed ice (also known as pebble ice) is the best ice to use in a smash cocktail. Easily make it at home on a blender or if you want to make it more simply, toss some ice cubes in a ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to tap/smash the ice.
• This cocktail recipe makes two peach whiskey cocktails but with the simple ingredients, you can easily double the recipe to make more.
• If you prefer to make a peach simple syrup instead of using fresh peaches for the peach flavor, follow the instructions in the ‘notes’ of the recipe.

FAQ

What type of whiskey should I use in these peach whiskey cocktails?
The bourbon whiskey you use will have a great deal to do with how this cocktail tastes. Bulleit is my personal favourite bourbon for this peach bourbon smash. Some other favourite’s to try are Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve. Whichever bourbon you choose, make sure you enjoy it in other drinks too.

Can I use a peach whiskey?
Many peach whiskey’s can be on the sweeter side but you could try Crown Royal Peach Whiskey. You can balance the flavours a bit more if you find the cocktail a little on the sweet side but adding a bit more ginger beer or ginger ale.

What if my peaches aren’t ripe enough to smash?
In a pinch, you can try using peach nectar instead of peaches or make a peach simple syrup. In that case, I would substitute the fresh peach for 2 oz of peach nectar or peach simple syrup (see notes in recipe for how to make a peach simple syrup at home).

Can I make this into a non-alcoholic drink?
YES! For a non-alcoholic peach whiskey cocktail use a zero-proof spirit like Ritual Whiskey Alternative or Spiritless Kentucky 74 in place of the bourbon whiskey. Just follow the same instructions to make the cocktail with the zero-proof spirit.

What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?
A mason jar works well to smash and shake the cocktail! You can strain the cocktail then through a small strainer into the cocktail glass.

What can I use to muddle the peaches?
You can use the bottom of a simple wooden spoon; you don’t need anything fancy at all!

Storage

This cocktail is best enjoyed when made fresh and it’s truly a great way to celebrate peach season on a hot summer day!

More refreshing summer cocktail recipes to love from the blog:

The Best Sparkling Blackberry Vodka Drinks Recipe

Campari Rosé Spritz

Minty Cucumber Lime Sangria

Strawberry Rosé Spritzer

Print

The Best Peach Whiskey Smash Cocktails

These Peach Whiskey Cocktails are the perfect drink for a hot summer day! Easy to make with fresh peaches and bourbon.

Course Drinks

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword bourbon cocktail, peaches, summer cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 cocktails

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe peach, sliced (ripe enough to muddle easily)
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 4 oz bourbon
• 5-6 fresh mint leaves
• crushed ice
• 1-2 oz ginger ale or ginger beer

Instructions

• To a cocktail shaker add fresh peach slices and brown sugar.  Muddle gently to break down the peach slices. 
• Add mint leaves and gently muddle, pressing down a few more times. 
• Pour the bourbon into the cocktail shaker and add a handful of ice. Alternatively, add the peach simple syrup, mint leaves and bourbon to a cocktail shaker along with ice and shake.
• Shake for 10-20 seconds to combine.
• Fill two rocks cocktail glasses 3/4 of the way with crushed ice and strain cocktail shaker peach-bourbon mixture over the ice. Top with a splash (1-2 oz) of ginger ale or ginger beer and garnish with mint and a peach slice. Cheers and enjoy!

Notes

• If you don't have fresh, ripe peaches you can still make this drink by using a peach simple syrup, here's how to make it:
  • Add 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup chopped fresh peaches to a small pot and bring to a simmer over high heat. Once simmering turn the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set the peach simple syrup aside to cool and once cool, strain it into a container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use 2 oz in the cocktail recipe instead of muddling a ripe peach.
  • Alternatively, you could also use 2oz of peach nectar.

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post The Best Peach Whiskey Smash Cocktails for Summer appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.