Our Bourbon Peach Smash cocktail tastes like a Southern summer’s day in a glass. Sweet, fresh peaches meet basil, lemon juice, and simple syrup to create an herbal, citrusy mix you won’t soon forget. For extra basil flavor, you could make a basil simple syrup for this recipe, but it’s not required. Make sure your peaches are ripe for better flavor and easier muddling. A little straight bourbon adds some richness to balance out the sweet peaches. And, while it takes a little more time, crushed ice is key in this cocktail. Its jagged edges catch the flavors, diluting the mix just enough without dulling the punch.
The real magic happens when you top your glass with Clarksburg Bourbon Peach Hard Cider. Aged in seasoned bourbon barrels, this cider carries whispers of vanilla bean, caramel, and oak—the kind of character you’d expect from a well-traveled whiskey but with a sparkling twist. The result is a layered pour where orchard sweetness, barrel warmth, and the brightness of peaches dance in perfect time.
Garnish each cocktail with a peach slice and a sprig of basil, and you’ve got a drink that’s as photogenic as it is irresistible. It’s refreshing enough for a lazy afternoon, but can hold its own well past sunset.
