Brown Sugar Bourbon Smash.
The brown sugar bourbon smash is made with brown sugar syrup, the best bourbon, ginger beer, sliced apples and cinnamon. It’s fall in a cup!
Oh hello Friday eve! You deserve a cocktail.
Fall cocktail season is the best cocktail season. I’m sure it has something to do with my life long love of apple cider, but oh my WORD – the flavor combinations are just the best. You can find all of my best fall drinks here and it’s really hard to choose just one!
They are all so good.
This bourbon smash is made with brown sugar syrup – you know, like the shaken brown sugar espresso thing?
Brown sugar syrup isn’t anything new here on the blog. I’ve been making it for years, both for my iced coffee and my cocktail punch recipes.
Instead of simple syrup, we’re doing brown sugar syrup. Well, I guess it still is simple syrup!
Just made with brown sugar. You get the drift. It’s easy!
Brown sugar syrup also lasts for a while in the fridge. So you can use it in alllll the things.
This is how we make the brown sugar bourbon smash.
The brown sugar syrup of course! For sweetness and a little sugary depth.
Your favorite bourbon. I really love Bulleit but there isn’t a wrong answer here, as long as it’s not what you were drinking from a $12 jug in college.
Ginger beer! A splash of bubbles for some zing – I love using ginger beer this time of year because it imparts some spice into cocktails. A little zip! I love it.
Then toss in a few apples. A cinnamon stick. Maybe even a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
You can also do a cinnamon sugar rim if you wish. I realize that is very anti-bourbon, and more apple cider margarita-ish. But it’s fall and basically everything needs a cinnamon sugar rim in the fall. You know?
This is a fun cocktail to make if you aren’t feeling an apple cider sangria, or said apple cider margarita, or an apple cider spritz. It’s warming and comforting, a little more elevated and mature (cough cough, cinnamon sugar rim), and something that can be taken into the cold winter months.
I mean this is the idea cocktail to sip near an outdoor bonfire in late October OR in a cozy living room next to a fire in February.
It’s also easy to make just ONE of these drinks. Make one for yourself tonight for happy hour. Save the brown sugar syrup, use it in your coffee for the weekend.
Sounds like a delight!
Brown Sugar Bourbon Smash
Brown Sugar Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
bourbon smash
- 1 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- sliced apples, for garnish
- cinnamon stick, for garnish
brown sugar syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Note: if you want to do a cinnamon sugar rim, I suggest rimming the glass with an orange wedge. I stir together coarse sugar and cinnamon, then dip the rim in!
- Fill a glass with crushed ice. Add the brown sugar syrup, then the bourbon. Stir it. Top it off with the ginger beer, the apple slices and cinnamon stick. Serve immediately!
brown sugar syrup
- Whisk together the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a simmer then turn off the heat. Let cool to room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for a week or so.
Did you make this recipe?
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Double cheers!
21 Comments on “Brown Sugar Bourbon Smash.”
This looks great and right up my alley! Any recommendations for a ginger beer? The spicier the better in my mind. I used to like one made by Blenheim but can no longer find it near me.
fever tree is my favorite ginger beer! it’s SO good.
Can you substitute ginger ale for ginger beer?
yes! it will just be less spicy!
Just made these – commenting with drink in hand – they are great!
yay!
Are you using a non–alcoholic ginger beer or one with alcohol?
ginger beer is non alcoholic! it’s like ginger ale, but spicier with more ginger.
Could you please tell me what type of bourbon you used in your recipe????
yes my favorite is Bulleit!
What’s the brand name you use? And also what would you use as a second best brand name?
The brand name is Bulleit. Second I would probably go with Blantons or Knob Creek.
Wow – this simple recipe was exhausting to read. What a chore to scroll through.
Looks tasty though – may give it a try.
There’s a lovely little button at the top of the page that says *jump to recipe*. Try it.
I went in a sweeter direction and used apple cider instead of ginger beer. It’s sooooo good! I’ll be using ginger beer once apple cider is out of season.Thanks for the recipe!
Made these for my husband tonight and he really enjoyed them. I used IW Harper. You may want to add it to your list of bourbons to try. He’s a big fan.
Fabulous – made these last night for our harvest celebration party & they were a hit. Love the brown sugar simple syrup & cinnamon sugar rim!
Thanks for sharing such a amazing recipe..
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O BOY, YOU TOUCHED MY HEART WITH THIS “BROWN SUGAR SYRUP” , I CAN’T WAIT TO DRINK ONE or FOUR!
MAX OF TEXAS
This drink sounds incredible! Making this tomorrow night!!
I just use maple syrup