The Deb (Peach-Basil Bourbon Smash) Cocktail

A juicy way to wind down after a busy day, and a good way to use up ripe peaches. Made and named for my friend Deb on her birthday. The peach-basil syrup makes 2 1/2 cups, enough for 8 to 10 cocktails. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 1370 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ fluid ounces bourbon
• 4 ripe unpeeled peaches, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 3 sprigs basil, tied together with string
• ice cubes, divided
• 3 dashes aromatic bitters (such as 18.21 Prohibition Aromatic Bitters)
• 2 fluid ounces lime-flavored sparkling water (such as La Croix®)
• 1 slice peach
• 1 leaf basil

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine chopped peaches, sugar, water, and 3 sprigs basil in a small pot over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool syrup to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Discard basil sprigs.

Step 2

Pour syrup into a Mason jar, seal, and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Measure 3 fluid ounces of syrup and peaches into a cocktail shaker; muddle to break peaches up. Add 4 ice cubes, bourbon, and bitters; cover and shake vigorously until ice is mostly melted. Pour into a chilled 8-ounce glass; add remaining 4 ice cubes. Gently stir in sparkling water. Garnish with a peach slice and basil leaf.