My husband and I are avid bourbon drinkers and collectors. I never really gave bourbon a chance until we took a trip to Kentucky to tour some distilleries, and that was when I fell in love with it. So much goes into making bourbon- love, science, care, patience. It was hard to not love and respect it after that trip. Over the years, we have accumulated a lot of bourbon, and while I absolutely love to drink it simple and neat, sometimes you want something a little different. Something fun for a Friday night or a get together. And this Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash cocktail checks all of those marks.

What I love most about this drink are the fresh cherries. I wouldn’t recommend substituting the fresh cherries with frozen, jarred, etc. You want the freshness of the cherries to shine in this cocktail. This Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash is enjoyably sweet- not overly sugary at all. It’s the perfect sweetness where you can taste the bourbon without it smacking you in the face. But, beware because these things go down easy!

So are you a bourbon novice and wondering what bourbon to use for this cocktail? For this drink, I’d recommend something that is typically used for mixing. Something that tastes good, but no need to use your top shelf stuff. I would recommend using a bourbon that is medium proofed- in the range of 100 proof. Try using Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, Old Forester 100, or if you want a little proofier- maybe Old Grand Dad 114. Really- you could use anything that you like- I would just recommend against using anything finished.

Ingredients Needed for Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash

Fresh Cherries– I’d recommend using only FRESH cherries for this cocktail

Pure Vanilla Extract

Fresh Lemon Juice

Cherry 7UP– this soda lends extra cherry flavor, sweetness, and carbonation. If you’d like to substitute it, I’d recommend soda water and a simple syrup (it won’t be as cherry-forward)

Bourbon– use whatever bourbon you use for a mixer or that you like to drink

Mint (optional)– for garnishing

Let me show you how to make this Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash 👇🏻

To a rocks (cocktail) glass, add 1/3 cup fresh cherries that have been halved and pitted.

Next, gently muddle the cherries so that they release some of their juices. But, don’t be too rough with them. Otherwise your drink may look a little unappetizing at the end.

Then add 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, and 1 1/2 oz of bourbon.

Top the glass with ice- I used these fun, little round cubes- and top the glass off with Cherry 7UP. Fill the glass 3/4 of the way… or all the way to the top like I did here. Haha!

Finally, give the Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash a good stir, bringing some of the cherries from the bottom to the top. And then garnish with fresh mint.

Enjoy! And please drink responsibly!

Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash

A perfectly sweet, smooth, bright cocktail. This Vanilla Cherry Bourbon Smash is a fantastic drink that everyone will love!

Prep Time 5

Servings 1 Serving

Author Maggie @ Cupcakes and Sarcasm

Ingredients

1/3 Cup Fresh Cherries, halved and pitted
1 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 Oz Bourbon
Cherry 7UP
Fresh mint, for garnishing

Instructions

To a rocks (cocktail) glass, add the fresh cherries. Use a muddler and gently muddle the cherries until they release some of their juices. (Don’t be too rough or your drink will look unappetizing at the end.)
Add the lemon juice, vanilla, and bourbon.
Fill the rocks glass with ice and then top it off with the cherry 7UP, filling 3/4 of the way full.
Give the cocktail a stir, bringing some of the cherries from the bottom to the top. Garnish with mint. Enjoy!

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