Peach Thyme Bourbon Smash

This is the ONE! The one that screams PEACHES in all their late-summer glory. The one that screams I’LL HAVE ANOTHER even if you don’t technically *need* another. This Peach & Thyme Bourbon Smash uses fresh peaches, a sprig of thyme, and my special brown butter fat-washed bourbon (or regular bourbon), maple syrup, and almond liqueur for the fall-est summer cocktail imaginable. Get some peaches and get smashing!

Watch Me Make It

How to Make a Peach Bourbon Smash

1. Add the chopped peach (or peach purée), thyme, maple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
2. Gently muddle just until the peach releases its juices and the thyme becomes fragrant.
3. Add the bourbon and almond liqueur, then fill the shaker with ice.
4. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
5. Double strain into two rocks glasses over large ice cubes.
6. Garnish each with a fresh peach slice and sprig of thyme.

Quick Peach Purée Recipe

For a smoother, cleaner option that’s easier to strain, make a quick homemade peach purée instead of muddling the fresh peach in the cocktail shaker. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients

• 2 ripe peaches, pitted and chopped
• 1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1–2 tbsp water, as needed

Blend until completely smooth. For cocktails, I’d strain the purée through a fine-mesh sieve before using. That gets rid of the fibrous pulp that tends to clog your cocktail strainer.

What is a “Smash” Cocktail?

A “smash” cocktail is a broad term that refers to cocktails made with muddled fruit + herbs + sweetener shaken together with a base spirit. It works with most spirits, so you can make a vodka smash, gin smash, whiskey smash, or this Peach Thyme Bourbon Smash. Think of it like a fruity version of a Mint Julep, but with endless ways to riff.

Ingredients

Peaches

Yellow, white, and donut peaches all work for this recipe. You could even use other stone fruits like nectarines! When peaches aren’t in season, you can get away with using frozen peaches if you thaw them first.

Bourbon

Bourbon is an American whiskey made with at least 51% corn, giving it a sweet, brown sugary, vanilla flavor. I used my insanely delicious Brown Butter Fat-Washed Bourbon for this recipe and it is sooo worth it! Check out my list of favorite bourbon. You could use any kind of whiskey for this recipe.

Thyme

Peaches and thyme go together so well that I really wouldn’t mess with it. If you wanted to experiment with different combos, though, start with rosemary or sage and see how the flavor changes.

Maple Syrup

The warmth of maple syrup leans this cocktail into the “I’m so ready for fall” category. You could use honey or a brown sugar or demerara sugar simple syrup instead.

Almond Liqueur

Also known as Amaretto, almond liqueur is made from apricot kernels, peach stones, or bitter almonds, so it goes perfectly with in this peach cocktail. It tastes sweet like marzipan, so it tends to make a cocktail a little more on the dessert side of things.

Lemon Juice

If it’s not fresh squeezed, we don’t want it!

Tips for Making the Best Peach Bourbon Smash

• When muddling, don’t pulverize the peach. Give it just a few firm presses with your muddler to release the juice while leaving the fruit mostly intact. The more you mash it into a purée, the faster it will clog your fine-mesh strainer.
• I actually think a homemade peach purée is the cleaner option than muddling the peach, especially if you want consistency and an easier double strain. But muddling the peach is often quicker.
• When you shake it, shake it like you mean it. You want as much peach flavor in the final cocktail as possible!

Peach Thyme Bourbon Smash Variations

• Swap the peaches for another stone fruit like nectarines
• Swap the thyme for other herbs like sage or rosemary
• If you like this recipe and want more fruit + herb combos with bourbon, try my Pomegranate Bourbon Smash, Apple Bourbon Smash, and Rosemary Berry Bourbon Smash.