The Cherry Smash is a delightful cocktail that combines the sweet, tangy flavors of fresh cherries with the bright, crisp notes of citrus and a splash of alcohol. Perfect for a summer gathering, a casual get-together, or any occasion that calls for a refreshing drink, the Cherry Smash is a fun and easy cocktail to make. With its vibrant color and balanced flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite at your next event.
At the heart of the Cherry Smash is fresh cherries, which provide both sweetness and a slight tartness. By muddling the cherries, you release their natural juices, creating a fruit-forward base that gives the cocktail a fresh, homemade feel. The addition of mint leaves adds an aromatic twist, complementing the cherries and giving the drink a refreshing herbal note.
A good splash of lemon juice brings brightness to the cocktail, balancing the sweetness of the cherries and creating a harmonious mix of flavors. Some variations of the Cherry Smash include a hint of simple syrup for added sweetness, but if you prefer a more tart drink, you can skip the syrup and let the natural cherry flavor shine through.
To complete the cocktail, your choice of spirit is key. Bourbon adds depth and warmth, making the Cherry Smash feel cozy yet refreshing. Alternatively, rum can be used for a lighter, sweeter option, while vodka provides a neutral base that lets the cherry and citrus flavors take center stage. Top the drink off with a splash of club soda or sparkling water for some effervescence, giving it a bubbly finish.
The Cherry Smash is best served over ice in a rocks glass and garnished with a cherry, a sprig of fresh mint, or a slice of lemon to add a pop of color. Whether you’re sipping it on a warm afternoon or enjoying it as a sweet treat at the end of the day, this cocktail is sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 10 whole cherries pitted
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 5 leaves mint fresh
- 1/2 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 cup ice crushed
- 1 slice lemon for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pitted cherries and mint leaves until well combined.
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with crushed ice and shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a slice of lemon and a cherry on top. Serve immediately.
Nah, too sweet. I like my drinks more bitter.
I get that! A hint of bitterness can really elevate a cocktail. Ever tried adding a splash of soda water instead of the simple syrup? Gives it a nice balance!
Absolutely delightful! Perfect for summer nights.
This is so good! Perfect for summer nights.
Totally agree! I made it last week and it was a hit with my friends! 🍒
Looks good, but I don’t know about putting cherries in cocktails. Isn’t that just for desserts? 🤔
I don’t even like bourbon much, but this worked! Maybe because the cherries are sweet enough to hide the burn. Yum.
That’s awesome—sweet cherries really do a lot to smooth out the bourbon. I’ll have to try it with the simple syrup level you used!
Good idea but mine came out a bit too tart. Next time I’ll probably reduce the lemon juice or add a touch more simple syrup.
OMG! This is the bomb! My new favorite drink!
I dunno, it was okay but I expected more. Maybe more cherries would help?
I think more cherries would definitely make it sweeter! Give it another shot with extra fruit.
I’m skeptical about how strong the cherry flavor is with only 10 cherries. It turned kind of tangy more than “cherry.” Still drinkable, just not what I expected.
I dunno, I mean, is bourbon really the best for this? What about vodka?
Whaaaaat? You really shake it? I just stir mine, lol!
Wow, this sounds super refreshing. Cherry + bourbon + mint is such a good combo. Definitely making it for summer nights.
Pretty good, but 10 cherries feels like a lot—mine was super thick and I had to strain twice. Still delicious though.
I get what you mean—10 cherries definitely makes it thick. I usually do the cherries/mint well, then strain once through a fine mesh and it’s smoother.
Maybe my cherries were smaller? I didn’t find it too thick, but I also didn’t strain twice. I’ll try fewer cherries next time though.
Too much mint for me. I think I would skip that next time.
I don’t even know what simple syrup is… can I just use sugar? 🤷♂️
Simple and tasty! I love it. Thanks for sharing.
It tastes kinda weird bcuz of the bourbon. I thought it would be sweeter. My friends liked it more than I did.
Not so great, tasted too much like cherries. I prefer something stronger.
I don’t know, it seemed like too much mint to me. I think I’ll stick to my usual cocktails.
Quick question—how do you muddle? Just smash the cherries? Help?
Yes, just smash ’em with something! A wooden spoon works great. You’re gonna love it!
Muddling? Isn’t that just another word for smashing? Use your hands or a hammer, I guess?
Whoa! I made this for a party and it was a hit! Everybody loved it.
I used frozen cherries, totally fine right? Maybe too cold though.
Cherry and mint? Sounds weird. But it actually turned out pretty good! Who knew?
I used frozen cherries and it worked, so that’s a win. Next time I’ll pit them better—one random pit nearly ruined my life lol.
Wait… frozen cherries AND bourbon? I dunno, sounds like it would be watery. Also step 1 says 10 cherries—if they’re frozen maybe you gotta thaw first? But yeah pitting is overrated, I usually just chew around the pit… (jk 😅).
That’s a legit win 😄 Frozen cherries can actually be better sometimes. Sorry about the pit though—those are tiny little landmines. Next batch: maybe use a fine strainer just in case!
Lemon slice? Is that necessary? Just drink it!
Uhh, alcohol isn’t for everyone. You should consider a non-alcoholic version.
I agree, maybe try using sparkling water or something instead of booze! It could be just as tasty! 🍒
My shaker leaked a bit last time (skill issue lol), but the flavor was great. If you don’t have enough ice, just shake longer.
My shaker leaks no matter what I do lol. I tried “shake longer” and it was still kinda thin. Maybe add more lemon juice? Or more cherries?
Happened to me too 😅 but shaking longer definitely helps. I usually pack the crushed ice pretty tight so it doesn’t go watery.
This drink is amazing! Perfect for summer evenings.
Tried this for a friend’s birthday—super refreshing and the cherry flavor really comes through. The mint makes it feel fancy.
Not gonna lie, this reads a little fancy for something that’s basically cherries and booze. But hey, if it tastes good, who cares.
Honestly I get you—sounds like it should be more “rustic” than fancy. 😄 But muddling the mint with the cherries really changes it; the bourbon + lemon balance is the key. If it tastes good, that’s the whole point!
This drink is amazing! The mint really lifts the flavor of the cherries! 5 stars all the way! 🍒
Not sure I like mint in cherry drinks. Isn’t that weird? Just stick to the cherries! 🤔
I agree! The mint really makes it pop. I can’t believe how refreshing it is! 🍃
Delicious and easy to make! I just wish there was a way to make it a pitcher drink.
Cherry Smash sounds like a bad diet plan! Who wants to drink the fruits?
I think you just don’t understand the fun of cocktails! Cherry Smash is awesome! 🍒🥃
Drinking fruits? Sounds kinda weird but I guess it could be tasty? Who knows! 🤷♂️
I tried something similar before and it came out kind of strong. I’d start with a little less bourbon the first time, just my opinion.
That makes sense—2 oz bourbon is definitely enough to come through. I’ll try it with a splash less next time, thanks!
This drink was AMAZING! So refreshing and perfect for summer. Will definitely make again!
Wow, what a refreshing cocktail! The cherry flavor really shines through.
Looks good, but I don’t like bourbon. Can you use vodka instead?
I totally agree! The cherry flavor is like a burst of summer in every sip. 🍒
So easy to make! I made it for my friends and they loved it! I’m not a big fan of bourbon but it’s not too overpowering here.
Easy and quick. I made it for my friends and they loved it. Will make again!
I followed the recipe but it came out too sweet, not my cup of tea.
Way too much bourbon for my taste. Also the instructions are kinda vague—how long do you shake for? I guess “well chilled” could mean a lot of things.
Made it for friends and everyone kept asking what bourbon cocktail it was. I used a little less syrup and it still slapped.