Thirsty Thursday: Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash
This refreshing drink is a combination of strong and sweet. Bourbon makes friends with fresh strawberries, tart lemon, and vibrant mint.
Welcome to this week’s Thursday Thursday jam session. <— Get it?
As Squirrel would say, I’m hilarious!
This week’s cocktail floated right into my head as I entered the produce section of my local grocery store and discovered the pyramid of stacked strawberry containers. The sweet scent swirling around the produce section could not be ignored.
Must. Have. Strawberries.
I proceeded to buy far too many containers. More containers than any two people could ever eat. You know me, I’m always forgetting about my fruit in the cavernous pit of the fruit drawer. This is where fruit comes to die, folks. Fruit must fear me.
The strawberries turned soft and began growing fuzz. Not a good sign, but it’s also not the end of the world. I might let fruit wither away, but I never let it go to waste. So, I made jam. Specifically, this Small-Batch Strawberry Jam from Chocolate Moosey. The entire process took me 20 minutes. Not bad for a jam session. And, it’s so stinkin’ good. The best damn jam I’ve ever spooned into my mouth.
Have jam, will smash. This strawberry jam bourbon smash is spring and summer in a glass. It’s super refreshing, sweet with a hint of tart from fresh lemon wedges, and full of fresh mint. If you’re in a foul mood or having a bad day/week, smashing things is always fun.
They call it a smash for good reason. All of the ingredients get added to a shaker or glass and muddled together just long enough to release the flavor of the herbs and juices from the fruit. In this case, we’re using the muddler to break down fresh strawberries, lemon wedges, and mint. When you muddle mint, it forces the mint to release its natural oils and flavor the drink. It’s the very reason mojitos are so dang tasty.
The addition of the strawberry jam not only sweetens the drink, but the sugars in the jam help break down the other components being muddled. If you don’t own a muddler, no worries, you can still make this smash. Just bust out your trusty wooden spoon and have at it.
Once all of the ingredients are muddled, add the bourbon and give the mixture a few vigorous shakes. Pour over ice and serve with a mint and strawberry garnish. Because cocktails should always look fancy…even when you drink alone.
Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash
This refreshing drink is a combination of strong and sweet. Bourbon makes friends with fresh strawberries, tart lemon, and vibrant mint.
Ingredients:
- 3 strawberries, halved
- 2 (1-inch) wedges lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 2 ounces bourbon
- club soda
Directions:
- Add strawberries, lemon wedges, mint, and jam to a shaker.
- Muddle the ingredients until thoroughly crushed.
- Add the bourbon and give the mixture a few vigorous shakes.
- Strain the mixture in a mason jar (or glass of choice) containing large cubes of ice. Top with a splash of club soda or seltzer. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a strawberry.
Want more bourbon? Try these recipes:
Heather Christo- Bourbon Cherry Coke
Foxes Love Lemons- Meyer Lemon Vanilla Bean Bourbon Smash
Hungry Couple-Honey Grapefruit Bourbon Smash
Bake Your Day- Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
14 Comments on “Thirsty Thursday: Strawberry Jam Bourbon Smash”
LOVE IT! The combination of flavors sounds fantastic with the bourbon. And the pics are stunning!
Thank you so much, Allie!
The cocktail sounds delicious! I may have to make it tomorrow to kick off the weekend! Also, can we take a moment to talk about how cute that mason jar cocktail shaker is?! I will now be on the hunt to add that to our bar cart. Thanks for sharing!!
XO – Sarah
http://beautyandblooms.com/
Thanks, Sarah! You’re weekend is going to be so delicious. I was able to buy just the top at Marshall’s. If you’re looking to purchase the entire shaker, I spotted them at Target the other day. Happy shaking!
I get super excited when I see strawberries at the farmers market and buy way too much. Then, I feel worse for not actually eating the strawberries because those berries ain’t cheap! What a great idea to make it into jam and drinks! Saving this for later!
I’m the same way, Lisa. I get so dang excited, but it’s usually short lived. Thanks for saving the recipe!
So beautiful! I’m not into straight bourbon but I’m in love with this bourbon smash. Better start making it now for happy hour later.
The bourbon really blends nicely in this cocktail, Linda. It balances the sweet. Thanks so much!
Oh man oh man, I need to get my hands on all the strawbs ASAP just to make this drink. Delicious!
Mmmmm … so perfect, now that the weather is starting to warm up!!
Mm love this and it’s so cute in the mason jars!! Love the strawberries.
I’m a serious drink muddler (I actually own two muddlers) and I love using jam in drinks. After the first time I tried it, I wondered why I’d never done it before. And now, I need to go do it with strawberries. :) Pinned.
These pics are stunning! That vibrant red makes me want to grab a glass and go sit outside.
JENNIE: your cocktail game is OFF THE HOOK.
i’ve never wanted bourbon so much in my life.