Try a Blackberry Bourbon Smash for a skinny keto cocktail! This beautiful low carb drink is perfect for a summer day and only 2.5 net carbs each!
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
This is one of my all-time FAVORITE cocktails, and I’m so excited to finally have figured out a delicious keto friendly version! This keto cocktail is bright, beautiful, and the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Instead of using the classic lemon, I opted to use lime juice in this drink–It blends so beautifully with the blackberries!
The gorgeous color comes from first creating a sugar-free blackberry simple syrup. It’s perfect for bridal showers, brunches, and pool parties! It isn’t overly sweet and is a cocktail that is easily paired with many different foods. You’ll definitely want to add this to your next keto happy hour!
Ingredients for Keto Blackberry Whiskey Sour
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this keto cocktail. Keep scrolling to the printable recipe card for exact measurements!
- Bourbon whiskey
- Blackberry syrup
- Blackberries
- Monk Fruit Liquid Sweetener
- Lime juice
- Water
- Lime juice : I used freshly squeezed lime juice, but bottled will work, too.
- Mint leaves
- Blackberry soda water : I used a Soda Stream to make my flavored soda water for an added punch of flavor, but you can use plain sparkling water if you prefer.
- Ice
How to make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
In a cocktail shaker, add your mint leaves, lime juice, and blackberry syrup. Muddle for 30 seconds, until leaves are bruised and mixture is fragrant. Add ice and bourbon, then shake until extremely cold. Strain and pour into an Old Fashioned glass full of ice, then fill to the top with soda water.
How to make a Keto Blackberry Syrup
This is so simple–For this syrup, add 2 cups of blackberries, 2 teaspoons of lime juice, 1 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of liquid monk fruit sweetener to a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally, smashing the blackberries (I used a potato masher). By the end of the simmering time, your blackberries should look like the second picture above–Macerated, mushy, and smashed.
Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Once cooled, strain and more into an airtight jar. This can be stored in the fridge for 1 month. You can use it as a 1:1 substitute in any recipe that calls for a plain simple syrup for a beautiful blackberry twist!
Nutrition value per 1 ounce of keto blackberry syrup: Calories: 16; Total Fat: 0.2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 1.6mg; Total Carbs 3.6g; Fiber: 1.9g; Sugars: 1.8g; Protein: 0.5g; Net Carbs: 1.7
Whiskey Sour vs. Whiskey Smash
A Whiskey Sour and a Bourbon Smash are incredibly similar–They use the same ingredients, but they go about the process just a tad differently. Whiskey Sours include whiskey, simple syrup, and lemon juice. A Whiskey Smash includes whiskey, simple syrup, and chunks of lemons. Literally the only difference is the act of smashing the lemons to draw out the juice instead of juicing the lemon on its own.
If you want to get technical, my version of this drink is closer to being a Blackberry Whiskey Sour. I don’t love having the chunks of lime and blackberries, so I smash my blackberries in the syrup and strain it before adding it to the drink. If you would prefer to have a more classic whiskey smash, here are the amounts you’ll need:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3/4 ounce keto simple syrup (made using liquid monk fruit sweetener, explanation here)
- 1/2 lime (cut into four chunks)
- 3-4 blackberries
- 5-8 mint leaves
- 1 ounce blackberry soda water
In a cocktail shaker, smash your lemon chunks, blackberries, and mint leaves with the simple syrup. Add ice and bourbon, shake, and pour into a glass. Fill to the top with soda water.
What to serve with a Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Both blackberry and bourbon complement beef, so I love serving these Keto Steak Rolls with this drink. They’re cute and appetizer-sized, and a serving of 4 of them comes to just 4.3 net carbs. BBQ Cheddar Meatballs and Instant Pot Tacos with Spicy Coleslaw would also be great options.
Spicy or smoky foods will provide a great contrast with the sweetness of the syrup and blackberries, so consider serving these with Keto BBQ, Buffalo Wings, or a Buffalo Chicken Salad.
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