Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade

This Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade is a great summer cocktail! Made with fresh raspberries and real lemons, this whiskey cocktail is great for parties in the backyard. Cheers!

Making a delicious whiskey cocktail isn’t hard work. As long as you have the right ingredients on hand, you can be whipping up drinks that rival the ones at your favorite local restaurants. This Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade falls into that category. This refreshing cocktail is made with fresh raspberries and real lemons. Grab a glass and sit for a while!

The inspiration for this drink comes from Yardbird Southern Table and Bar. From both the food menu to the bar menu, Yardbird channels Southern vibes. They have locations in 8 major cities around the world, and they’ve been nominated for a number of awards. (Awards include being nominated for a James Beard award as well as earning Bon Appétit‘s title of “Best New Restaurant.”) They make amazing fried chicken, and the entire vibe is modern farmhouse. Do grab dinner there if you ever get a chance.

Yardbird makes a Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade that is quite popular…and quite delicious. While I do love blackberries, most of the blackberries we get around here end up in a cobbler. Then I got to thinking…what if I made a raspberry version of this cocktail?

Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade

There are several key components to this drink, and they can all be made in advance. That way, once friends arrive, you can pull out the shaker and pretend you are Tom Cruise in Cocktail.

Raspberry Puree

This Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade uses real raspberries for flavor. To make the raspberry puree, simply muddle a pint of fresh raspberries in a bowl. Make sure they are really good and smushed up. Then press that mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds. No one wants seeds in their cocktail! Fresh or frozen berries can be used here. (Note: Blackberries or strawberries could be used to create variations on this cocktail.)

Fresh Lemon Juice

Grab a lemon and slice it in half. Squeeze half of the lemon into the shaker. That’s it. No need for store-bought lemonade or anything like that. Cocktails are not difficult to make, so use the real thing!

Simple Syrup

That lemon juice is tart, so you’ll want to balance it out with some sugar. That’s where simple syrup comes in. Simple syrup is literally that…a simple syrup. It’s made using equal amounts of granulated sugar and boiling water. Whisk it up until the sugar dissolves and let it cool down. That’s it. Simple syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months, too.

This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of simple syrup per cocktail. The drink is well balanced and delicious, but I wouldn’t call it sweet. Feel free to add more simple syrup for a sweeter cocktail.

Bourbon Whiskey

Ah, the real shining star of this cocktail recipe! We love our bourbon neat around here. If it’s a particularly high proof bottle, we’ll add a few drops of water. That’s it. But every once in a while it’s fun to whip up a good bourbon cocktail. When it comes to brands, use a brand you like. Don’t use one of the cheap “bottom shelf” bourbons, but at the same time don’t reach for a “top shelf” bottle either. For this Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade, I used Knob Creek.

Ground Cardamom and Aromatic Cocktail Bitters

These might seem like small elements of this drink recipe, but don’t omit them! The cardamom provides a depth of flavor that is quite fantastic. The aromatic bitters balance the other flavors in this cocktail, and you’re left with a well-balanced, delicious drink. A bottle of aromatic bitters will last a long time, and you can purchase it in most grocery stores. Of course, Amazon is always an option, too – I personally like Fee Brothers’ bitters.

Soda Water

Once that cocktail gets shaken and poured into the glass, add a splash of soda water on top. The fizz adds a refreshing brightness to the finished cocktail.

Garnishes

Presentation is always important when making cocktails! For this Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade, I recommend folding a slice of lemon in half and putting a raspberry in between. Stick ’em on a cocktail pick and lay it on top of the glass when serving. If you want to get real fancy, add a sprig of fresh mint leaves, too.

If you’re looking for a delicious summer cocktail recipe, then put this Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade on the list. Not only is it tasty, but it’s festive, too. Cheers!

Did you make this Raspberry Bourbon Lemonade recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!

Looking for more summer cocktails? Check out these other favorites, too: