Blackberry Añejo Smash

Blackberry Añejo Smash

This blackberry tequila cocktail is what happens when a smash meets a mule. Ripe blackberries get muddled with lemon and agave, shaken with SWOL Añejo, then topped with fizzy ginger beer in a frosty copper mug. The aged Añejo adds oak and vanilla that make the dark, jammy berries taste even richer. It is sweet, tart and a little spicy from the ginger, and it looks stunning. Serve it all summer, or bring it out whenever you want a fruit-forward tequila drink with real punch.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 oz SWOL Añejo Tequila (the hero: oak and vanilla deepen the jammy blackberry)
  • 3 to 4 fresh blackberries (ripe and soft; frozen work if thawed)
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (bright acidity to cut the sweetness)
  • 1/2 oz agave syrup (echoes the tequila; simple syrup also works)
  • Ginger beer, to top (spicy ginger beer, not mild ginger ale, for real bite)
  • Crushed ice, to fill a copper mug
  • Lemon and mint, to garnish
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Muddle the blackberries with the agave syrup and lemon juice in a shaker.
  2. Add the SWOL Añejo and ice.
  3. Shake well until cold.
  4. Strain over fresh crushed ice in a copper mug (fine-strain if you want to catch the seeds).
  5. Top with ginger beer.
  6. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a slapped mint sprig.
Style of Glass to use
  • Copper Mug
Garnishes
  • Lemon, Mint

Smash or mule? This drink is both

Muddled fruit, citrus and spirit make it a smash. The ginger beer top and copper mug make it a mule. You get the best of both: the fresh berry depth of a smash with the spicy fizz and frosty presentation of a mule. Skip the ginger beer for a pure blackberry smash, or lean into the mule with an extra splash.

Muddle and strain out the seeds

Blackberry seeds are tiny but noticeable. Muddle the berries just enough to break them down, then strain over fresh ice. For the smoothest drink, fine-strain through a small sieve to catch the seeds and pulp. Prefer texture? Leave a few muddled berries in for a rustic look.

Agave vs simple syrup

Agave syrup is the natural partner to tequila and gives this drink a rounder, earthier sweetness. Simple syrup works in a pinch and tastes cleaner and more neutral. Either way, start with 0.5 oz and adjust to how ripe and sweet your blackberries are.

Ginger beer vs ginger ale

Reach for ginger beer, not ginger ale. Ginger beer is spicier and less sweet, giving the drink its signature mule-style bite. Ginger ale is milder and sweeter and will make the cocktail taste flat and candied. If you like extra heat, choose a strong, extra-spicy ginger beer.

Mocktail version

Skip the tequila, muddle the blackberries with lemon and a little agave, and top generously with ginger beer over crushed ice. Add a splash of soda for length. You keep all the fruit and fizz for a zero-proof blackberry ginger cooler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tequila is best for a blackberry cocktail?

An aged añejo like SWOL Añejo. Its oak and vanilla deepen the jammy blackberry flavor.

Is this a smash or a mule?

Both. It is muddled and shaken like a smash, then topped with ginger beer and served in a copper mug like a mule.

Can I use frozen blackberries?

Yes. Thaw them first so they muddle and strain cleanly.

How do I get rid of the seeds?

Fine-strain the shaken drink through a small sieve before topping with ginger beer.

Ginger beer or ginger ale?

Ginger beer. It is spicier and less sweet, which keeps the drink balanced.

Do I need a copper mug?

No, but it keeps the drink colder and looks great. Any highball or rocks glass works.

Can I make it without ginger beer?

Yes. Leave it off for a pure blackberry tequila smash served over crushed ice.

Blackberry Añejo Smash TIPS

Muddle & Layer for Freshness

Gently muddle the blackberries to release their juice without pulverizing the seeds for a smooth texture. For a zingy twist, add a small sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary before shaking to infuse an herbal note. When topping with ginger beer, pour slowly over the back of a spoon to keep the fizz and create a layered effect.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$124.99

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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