Make a delicious fun riff on the whiskey smash cocktail my mixed berry bourbon smash with champagne, blueberries, blackberries! It's perfect for special moments and ready in under five minutes.
September is Bourbon Heritage Month AND American Whiskey Month, which makes my blueberry & blackberry bourbon drink with bubbles right on time. Let's get into it!

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What does it taste like?
This is an easy bourbon cocktail that's fruity yet strong. You'll taste the vanilla, oaky, and caramel notes of quality bourbon plus slightly citrusy bubbly notes from sparkling wine. Fresh berries add juicy, sweetness and everything is rounded out with lemon and mint.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll also love my Raspberry Gin Martini, Bourbon Kentucky Mule and Lavender Mint Julep!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Blackberries and Blueberries add beautiful deep color and bright fruity flavor to this smash drink and what I love most is the versatility because you can use either or both depending on what you have one hand.
Fresh Mint and Citrus are key to any good smash cocktail so I don't recommend using any dried or concentrated ingredients here.
Maple Syrup is my sweetener of choice here but you can also use your favorite liquid sweetener like simple syrup or honey syrup.
Champagne or sparkling wine of your choosing to add effervescence. Prosecco or Cava will work just fine in place of champagne. And if you don't want to add additional alcohol to this cocktail, feel free to substitute with sparkling water.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Berries - You can substitute the blueberries and blackberries with other berries like strawberries or raspberries or a combination of all four to customize this recipe to your taste. Fresh berries are best but frozen will also work in a pinch.
Citrus - I use lemon in this recipe but it's also great with sour orange or lime if you can't get your hands on lemon or just want to try something different.
You can make a smash drink with all different kinds of fruit like my Sparkling Blood Orange Whiskey Smash, which hits every time. And although bourbon is the current topic of discussion, I have to put you onto my Cherry Gin Smash, too--you'll love it!
How to Make a Berry Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Step One: Add the berries, lemon, mint, and maple syrup to a mixing glass.
Step Two: Muddle these ingredients to express their oils and juices and combine the flavors.
Pro Tip: If you don't have a muddler on hand, use the blunt end of a kitchen spoon. And a shot glass is a good substitute for a jigger to measure the liquid ingredients.
Step Three: Remove the lemon from the mixing glass then pour in bourbon and stir vigorously until combined.
Step Four: Pour the mixture into a rocks glass.
Pro Tip: Do I need to strain this whiskey smash? Don't strain it. Just remove the lemons and add everything else to the glass. The berries become bourbon-soaked by the end of the drink, which makes for a deliciously potent treasure once you're done sipping!
Step Five: Add ice to the rocks glass.
Step Six: Top up the glass with chilled champagne.
Step Seven: Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and more fresh berries.
Pro Tip: Thread a few berries on a cocktail pick for extra presentation points. If you don't have one on hand, just float the berries on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can follow the recipe steps up to adding the ice and champagne. Save those steps until just before serving to the taste and fizziness of the cocktail.
Build a big batch smash cocktail in your serving vessel. Use 2 ½ cups berries, 4 lemons, 32 mint leaves, ¾ cup maple syrup, and 2 cups of bourbon. Fill halfway with ice then pour in one 750 ml bottle of champagne and stir before serving. Serves up to eight.
More Cocktail Recipes with Sparkling Wine
Now that you have a fizzy fruity smash cocktail recipe in your repertoire, I hope you enjoy it soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this bourbon and berries recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Mixed Berry Bourbon Smash with Champagne
Equipment
- 1 mixing glass
- 1 muddler
- 1 jigger
Ingredients
- 4 blackberries fresh or frozen
- 8 blueberries fresh or frozen
- 4 mint leaves
- ½ lemon cut into wedges
- ¾ ounce maple syrup or sweetener choice
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- ice
- 4 ounces champagne chilled
Instructions
- Add blackberries, blueberries, mint leaves, lemon, and maple syrup to a mixing glass and muddle to release juices and oils.
- Remove the lemon pieces. Add bourbon and stir vigorously for about 8 seconds.
- Pour mixture into a rocks glass and layer ice on top to fill glass about halfway.
- Top up glass with chilled champagne then gently stir to combine. Garnish with more fresh berries and mint, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly!
Britney Brown says
I made this for my friends baby shower! We subbed out the champagne for sparkling cider and omitted the alcohol and it was perfect. Everyone loved it!!
Kaluhi says
This was such a delightful mix of berry notes and I looooooved the brightness that the lemon notes introduced! Hubs and I decided this will always be our go-to drink for movie night!
Marta says
I made this bubbly bourbon cocktail for a friend's bridal shower brunch and even the non-bourbon drinkers loved it. It was so balanced and the champagne made it so refreshing for the hot Sunday we were celebrating on.
Alexi McIntosh says
I was so happy when I realized that I had all the ingredients for this recipe in my pantry. It was very refreshing and the maple syrup paired with the berries added a delightful sweet flavor. We really enjoyed this cocktail and definitely will be making it again.
Rebecca Hicks says
Wow this looks so good! I'm not necessarily the biggest bourbon fan, but I know my hubby would probably like this!
101foodtravel says
Oh my I am definitely gonna give this a try. My husband and I drink every now and then especially after a long week and hours lol. Thank you for sharing.
meganjohnson86 says
This seems like the perfect fall cocktail! I may have to make this, this weekend!
Cara Owens says
Oh my gosh this looks delicious and I'm sure tastes amazing!
Jessica says
Bourbon has become my favorite ever since visiting a distillery down in Lexington! Sounds like the perfect cocktail! XO
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Dana says
This looks so good!!!!
kage2015 says
We don't drink but I do like the color and the use of fresh fruit in your recipe.