Summertime Cocktails: Blackberry Smash

Somewhere between Freshman and Sophomore year in college, people started calling me Smash. It was obviously based on my name, Ashleigh.  I also tended to be a bit...um...crazy on nights out.  It would be like "uh-oh, Smash is coming out tonight!".  I am SO in for a treat when the girls get to be older, aren't I?



I'll spare myself from most of the embarrassing stories--I have WAY too many of them.  Since Ricky and I are coming up on TEN YEARS of being together, I'll share one quick story.  We would frequent a bar in Madison called Wando's on Tuesday nights because they had something called Bacon Night.  $1 cans of beer and FREE bacon.  Um, disaster waiting to happen? Yes!

Wando's has this unfortunate layout with a HUGE staircase right in front of the door.  I was up on the 3rd level getting my Natty Light (with a straw, of course) and Ricky was on the floor level meeting up with some friends.  You can see the staircase from the entire bar and it's connected to 3 levels. We had just started dating and he was pointing me out to his friend.  JUST as he saw me, I started TUMBLING down the stairs.  His friend was like "Is that her?!"....poor Ricky.  I can say I have fallen down those damn Wando's stairs more than a handful of times...mostly because I'm clumsy.

Side note, there is a character on the Chapelle Show named Smashley Evans.  Coincidence, or what?!

But now for this tasty drink recipe.  Since it is called the Blackberry Smash, I had to tell at least one Smash story!

I will admit, I used to HATE gin.  I thought it tasted like an air freshener.  But once you learn the right mix-ins, you will LOVE it.  Pinky swear.  This smash recipe is a perfect starter to make you love gin.  Plus, blackberries are only $1 this week at Meijer!

Zevia is the perfect mixer for cocktails.  It's made with Stevia instead of sugar and comes in 15 flavors. Lemon-Lime is my favorite for margaritas and more!  It frequently goes on sale at Meijer and Target--here's a $1 coupon for you!

Blackberry Gin Smash
Makes 2 cocktails

Here's What You Need:

• 4 ounces of Gin (2 oz for each drink)
• Fresh Mint Leaves, 10-12
• To wake up the mint, clap it in your hands
• 1/2 lemon, sliced into wedges
• Liquid Stevia (or whatever sweetener you want)
• 10 Fresh Blackberries
• 1 can Lemon-Lime Zevia
• Tools: Muddler, Cocktail Shaker, Strainer

1. In your cocktail shaker, put mint, blackberries and 3 lemon slices.  Muddle for about 20 seconds. Add two squirts of liquid Stevia and top with 2-3 cubes of ice. Pour a spash of Zevia and shake for 20 seconds.  (That counts as a workout, right?)
2. Fill your glass with ice and gin (I like to use stemless wine glasses or a rocks glass).
3. Put the strainer on your shaker and pour half of the mixture into each glass.  Top with Zevia and one wedge of lemon.
4. Enjoy!

NOTE: If you're still not a fan of gin, feel free to use vodka.  But please, give this drink a shot with gin too!  To make it a MOCKTAIL, just use more Zevia! 

This would be so pretty in a clear pitcher for a shower or on the patio for a party! Just multiply the recipe by 4-5 and muddle everything in the bottom of the pitcher.

Liquid Stevia is a great alternative to sugary simple syrup. There is a Skinny Girl one in the sugar aisle that I love to use in my coffee and tea. I have found it's an easy swap out in any cocktail drink. Remember, Stevia doesn't spike your sugar levels and actually DECREASES your urge for sweets. Check out this fun info-graph!

Making this drink for a BBQ? Try my Smokey Chipotle Zevia BBQ Sauce!

Disclaimer: I received product coupons to create the recipe, but all opinions and embarrassing stories are my own.