Raspberry Gin Smash Cocktail

This lovely Raspberry Gin Smash cocktail takes advantage of seasonable fruits and herbs to make a delicious warm-weather treat. Raspberry, mint, Chambord, and gin come together so nicely. The crushed ice really helps make this fruity and herbaceous adult treat feel like a special Summer sipper or a drink to enjoy on a hot day. Smash cocktails are nothing new, but this recipe is a slightly different take on a typical smash and if you try it, you will thank yourself. 

Raspberry Gin Smash Cocktail Summary

This is an easy drink to make and tastes it great. To bring this drink together, it is as simple as muddling 5 raspberries, 5 mint leaves, and a little simple syrup at the bottom of a lowball glass. Then, add your gin and Chambord. Finally, pack that glass with some crushed ice and stir. That is all there is to it!

What is a Smash Cocktail, Anyway?

The definition of a smash is pretty loose. It is a drink that should have ice, a spirit, some kind of herb, and maybe a seasonal fruit. A Mint Julep would be considered a smash cocktail, but it has a more stringent definition. All Mint Juleps are smash cocktails, but the reverse isn’t true.

This cocktail has origins that go far back into the beginnings of the American cocktail scene in the late 1800s. The grandfather of cocktail recipe books, Jerry Thomas’ How To Mix Drinks shares a julep recipe, which remember is a smash, tying the histories together.

By 1930, when Harry Craddock's famous Savoy cocktail recipe book came out, the smash was listed on its own, although it had been listed as such in other cocktail recipe books before it. The Savoy cocktail book helped solidify its place in history. Well, except the flavor. The great flavor probably did most of the work.

What Gin To Use?

Use what you like! If you like Tanqueray, use it. If you like Hendricks, use it! For this specific recipe, I used a gin named Minions from a local distillery named Proof Distillers. They make great spirits and it is always nice to support local businesses. Because of all the sweet and strong flavors, I think the gin that is used can have leeway. Besides, you should be drinking what you like!

The gin you use can, however, impact the drink. If you use a Tanqueray, you are going to that traditional London Dry Gin. If you use Hendricks, you will get a bit more of cucumber flavor in your cocktail. One of the great things about gin is there is such a big flavor variety among different brands and how they are made.

Do I Need Chambord?

In a pinch, if you don’t have Chambord, you can make this drink without. Just increase the amount of gin by a half-ounce.  I chose to use it in this drink because I love the flavor of the stuff. We are using fresh raspberries in our drink, but Chambord fortifies that raspberry flavor and also adds a beautiful dash of color to the drink.

Ultimately, you should have Chambord and that is how I designed the recipe. I understand, however, that it might not be everybody’s liquor cabinet. 

Crushed Ice And The Lewis Bag

If you are a home bartender and don’t have a crushed ice maker, how do you make that nice, fancy, crushed ice that goes into this Raspberry Gin Smash or other cocktails like the Mint Julep? A Lewis Bag, of course.

A Lewis Bag is a sturdy bag meant for the specific task of crushing ice. Using this sturdy bag and a wood mallet, you beat your ice into crushed ice territory. Can you make crushed ice without a Lewis Bag? Sure. I did. I also wrecked several kitchen towels in the process. The Lewis Bag just makes it an easier affair. In my opinion, if you don’t have an automatic ice crusher, it is a must-have in a well-stocked home bar.

Tips For Making This Raspberry Gin Smash

• Use the Gin that you like!
• Get a Lewis Bag [Affiiate Link] for making crushed ice
• If you don’t have Chambord, just use a little extra gin and call it good.

Products Used In This Recipe

• Cocktail Mixing Kit
• Lewis Bag
• Lowball Glasses

Did You Make This Raspberry Gin Smash Recipe?

Thanks so much for giving it a try! I hope it tasted delicious and I have you sold on Smashes, Lewis Bags, and this specific drink. If you liked it, it would be awesome if you shared it on your Facebook or Pinterest. Of course, I would also love it if you subscribed to my email list so I could let you know when new recipes come out.

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