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The simplest Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash…for your springtime Cocktail Saturday pleasure. Fresh blueberries and sweet blueberry jam, smashed together with thyme, lemon, bourbon (or tequila), and fizzy sparkling water. This makes for a simple and quick spring or summer cocktail. A sweet lemon sugar-rimmed glass really seals the deal and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Cocktail Saturday has really become my favorite recipe of the week. These drinks are just so much fun and I love creating them for you guys. Today’s berry-filled bourbon (or tequila) smash is probably the most “me” drink. Or the drink I’d remake for myself time and time again.
Ok well, actually? I’d also do this spicy cucumber margarita time and time again as well. Oh, and the (extra) dirty horchata too. You know what? Never mind. I love all these drinks equally and I just can’t choose a favorite.
The point is, I’m loving this berry smash for today. It’s the last Saturday of April and I felt the need to share something colorful and very springy + very easy to create.
Jumping into details and keeping this post short and sweet as always…because it’s Saturday and we have cakes to be baking, dinners, to make, and cocktails to mix up.
To make this blueberry smash…
It’s simple and so darn easy.
You need a few things. Blueberries for one, fresh thyme (but you could also do without if you don’t have), lemons, jam (blueberry or blackberry), bourbon (but tequila is nice too), elderflower liquor (also known as St. Germain), and sparkling water. Oh, and a little sugar too if you want to make a sweet and fun rimmed glass.
First, start with the sweet lemon lined rim. It’s simply lemon zest, thyme leaves, and a pinch of granulated sugar mixed together. It adds such a sweet and lemony touch to each drink. It’s that “extra special” touch your drink needs.
Next, find yourself a cocktail shaker or even just a mason jar. Muddle together the blueberries, thyme leaves, and fresh lemon juice until those berries are all smashed down. Muddling the blueberries with the thyme infuses the thyme’s flavor into the drink in a subtle, non-overpowering way.
Now, add the blueberry jam (or honestly any berry jam). This creates an intense, much more concentrated berry flavor. I love marrying fresh berries and sweet jam together. It’s a double the berries experience, and it’s beyond good. The jam also sweetens the drink.
Add the bourbon and elderflower liquor, and then shake, shake, shake.
At this point, strain the drink into your glass and top off with sparkling water for a touch of fizz.
SIMPLE. But also so pretty and so darn close to perfect.
Swaps and substitutes…use what you’ve got.
If you don’t have blueberries, but do have blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries, use either of these berries. Any berry is great and they’re all going to taste delicious. So use what you have or use what you love most.
No fresh berries? Use frozen, but let them thaw a bit so that you can easily muddle them down. Tip? Top the drink with additional frozen berries, they will help to chill your drink.
Same goes for the jam as it does with the berries. If you don’t have blueberry jam, use another berry jam. And if you don’t have jam at all? Use additional berries and sweeten the drink to your taste with honey or sugar.
And if you don’t love bourbon? Use tequila.
Elderflower liquor missing from your pantry? That’s a little sad to be honest…but just use additional bourbon or a dash of bitters if you have those (yum)!
Soo, now you have zero excuses (hopefully). You can make this berry smash today!
My Saturday suggestion?
Since we’re all stuck at home, let’s plan a fun Saturday night in the kitchen. Why not? We don’t have much else to do this weekend.
So, here’s my perfect Saturday night in…
Start with this blueberry lemon thyme smash…of course.
Then add a little dinner and serve up this week’s quick-cooking Thai black pepper chicken and garlic noodles.
But before anything else, you should actually start by making dessert. How about Tuesday’s skillet strawberry bourbon cobbler…it’s a double shot of bourbon kind of Saturday night.
And then? Switch it up, instead of Netflix, enjoy your smashes while playing some fun games with your “quarantine” crew, or maybe your zoom date.
Not too bad for a Saturday night at home…again.
Lastly, if you make this blueberry lemon thyme smash, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!x
Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 272 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh or frozen blueberries, plus more for topping
- 1-2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus a sprig for serving
- juice from half of a lemon
- 2 tablespoons blueberry or blackberry jam
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon or tequila
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liquor (St. Germain)
- sparkling water for topping
Lemon Sugar (optional)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
Instructions
- 1. To make the lemon sugar. Combine the lemon zest, sugar, and thyme on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in sugar, then fill with ice.2. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, muddle the blueberries, thyme, and lemon juice, squashing everything to release the juices. Add the jam, bourbon, and elderflower liquor. Fill with ice and shake until combined. 3. Strain into your prepared glass. Top off with sparkling water, then gently stir to combine. Enjoy 🙂
Notes
If You Don't Have Jam: use an additional 2 tablespoons blueberries and add 1-2 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar to sweet to your taste.
If You Don't Have Elderflower: omit it and use additional bourbon or tequila.
Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash Punch
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 149 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, plus more for topping
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus a sprig for serving
- juice from 2 lemons (about 1/2 a cup)
- 1/2 cup blueberry or blackberry jam
- 6 ounces (3/4 cup) bourbon or tequila
- 4 ounces (1/4 cup) elderflower liquor (St. Germain)
- 3-4 (12 ounce) cans sparkling water, for topping
LEMON SUGAR (OPTIONAL)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
Instructions
- 1. In a pitcher, muddle the blueberries, thyme, and lemon juice, squashing everything to release the juices. Add the jam, bourbon, and elderflower liquor. Stir to combine. Chill until ready to serve. 2. To make the lemon sugar. Combine the lemon zest, sugar, and thyme on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in sugar, then fill with ice.3. Strain into your prepared glasses. Top off with sparkling water, then gently stir to combine. Enjoy ?
Notes
If You Don't Have Jam: use an additional 2 tablespoons blueberries and add 1-2 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar to sweet to your taste.
If You Don't Have Elderflower: omit it and use additional bourbon or tequila.
This drink was fabulous both the bourbon and tequila version. I made for a dinner party and did not experiment ahead of time and it turned out perfectly.
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! I really hope you enjoyed it! xT
Would this work with whiskey????
Hey Lori,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Just made these with fresh lemon thyme, blueberries, raspberry jam and limoncello la croix! Dangerously good cocktail here!
Hey Rachel,
Happy Wednesday!! 🍉🍓 Thanks a bunch for testing out this recipe, I’m so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
Instead of sparking water could you use ginger beer and champagne?
Hey Antoinette,
Totally, that would work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
It’s a great late Saturday afternoon cocktail! We really enjoyed it! Nice to try a different cocktail!
Hi Susan,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner:)
Hi, is there a mocktail version of this? Thanks 🙂
Hi Leanne,
Sure, just skip the alcohol and add more sparkling water:) I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
I’m a bartender and making this drink for my friday featured cocktail, can’t wait to see how it goes over :):)
I hope you love the recipe Miranda! Cheers! xTieghan
Just checking, but comparing the pitcher recipe to the single drink and both say to make the same measured adjustments. I just made the single drink with extra blueberries and sugar but it tastes pretty sweet and I wondered if it was supposed read 1-2 tsp?
Hey Angelina,
So sorry I am slightly confused what you are asking…the measurements for a pitcher are more than a single drink. Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Sorry, that wasn’t written well. I didn’t have jam so I did the adjustment of more blueberries and sugar. When I read the single drink recipe it said to use 1-2Tb of sugar with the extra blueberries. It said 1-2 Tb for making a pitcher of jam-less cocktails too. My drink was super sweet but I made it the next day with a half a tsp of sugar and it was great! Is that more clear?
Hey Angelina,
Yes, that makes sense, I will go back and look at that measurement. Thanks! xTieghan
These drinks are sooooo good! I only used half of the jam called for because sweet Isn’t my, well – jam, and they were fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Amy,
Happy Monday!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Made this for me and my Mom on Mother’s Day! Had a bit of a hard time straining it due to the muddle blueberries (skins were getting stuck in the strainer!) but it was DELICIOUS!!!!
Hey Christine,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed and I really appreciate you giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Hi! This looks soo good! I am currently pregnant so I’m wondering if there is anything else I can add to it to substitute the alcohol? Thanks!
Hey Paige,
You can skip the alcohol and use some sparkling water. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I made this last night to go with the Artichoke and Broccoli Pesto Brie Panini with Thyme Honey. This cocktail was so delicious and refreshing and will definitely be on repeat!
Hey Nicole,
Happy Monday! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
Love this cocktail! Yummy and fresh. I used frozen blueberries which acted as extra ice cubes.
Hey Kale,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great weekend:) xxTieghan
yummilicious ?
Thanks so much Gina!
These are one of my go-to drinks when I want to do something fun. It is a bit involved but so worth it.
Recommendations:
– I would definitely go with tequila – my husband kept asking for them with bourbon and one day when we ran out I just made him one with tequila and he said it was the best one I had made lol prettyyy sure that had to do with the change in liquor.
– If you’re going off the single serving recipe, I just use 1 Tbs of blackberry reserves and it’s plenty sweet.
5/5 – this drink has been a favoite
Thanks so much Abbey!!
I’ve been looking for some good cocktail glasses and love these. I know it’s been a while since you posted this, but do you remember where you got them?
Hey Courtney,
Here is the link for the glasses: https://rstyle.me/+7RK4v39F9RqwbYmAZm0RCw
Let me know if you have any other questions:) xTieghan
This cocktail is INSANELY good. Tomorrow is going to be rough but so worth it. Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Kristin,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great weekend! xTieghan