Smoked Blackberry Bourbon Smash with Charred Sage

Briefly char 4 sage leaves over the grill or a flame until fragrant and just crisp at the edges, then drop them into a shaker.

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 4 oz bourbon
• 1 cup fresh blackberries, plus extra to garnish
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 4 fresh sage leaves, plus 2 to garnish
• Crushed ice
• 2 oz chilled soda water
• 2 lemon wheels, to garnish

Instructions

1. Briefly char 4 sage leaves over the grill or a flame until fragrant and just crisp at the edges, then drop them into a shaker.
2. Add the blackberries, lemon juice and simple syrup and muddle well to break down the fruit and release the sage oils.
3. Pour in the bourbon and a scoop of ice, then shake hard until cold.
4. Fine-strain into two glasses filled with crushed ice.
5. Top each with a splash of soda water and stir gently.
6. Garnish with a fresh sage leaf, a lemon wheel and a few whole blackberries.
7. Serve right away while the smoky sage aroma is at its peak.
8. The whiskey smash is a porch-sipping American classic, a cousin of the julep built on muddled fruit and herbs over crushed ice. Charring the sage first borrows a trick from the grill, threading a savory wisp of smoke through the bright blackberry and bourbon. It is a glass made for warm evenings when the coals are still glowing and nobody wants the cookout to end.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 210 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 10mg