Marry Thompson This Raspberry Smash is a refreshing and fruity recipe, which is made with fresh raspberries and St. Germain elderflower liqueur. It’s the perfect summer cocktail, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeRaspberry Smash Recipe Ingredients
- 10 Fresh Raspberries, divided
- Ice, as needed
- 2 oz. Vodka
- 1 oz. St. Germain Liqueur
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- Club Soda, chilled, for topping
- 1 slice Fresh Lemon, for garnish
How To Make a Raspberry Smash
- Muddle the Raspberries: In a cocktail shaker, add 8 of the fresh raspberries. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently crush them to release their juices.
- Shake the Cocktail: Fill the shaker with ice. Pour in the vodka, St. Germain, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Top with your desired amount of chilled club soda and give it a quick, gentle stir. Garnish with the remaining 2 raspberries and a slice of lemon. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- What is St. Germain? St. Germain is a popular brand of elderflower liqueur. It has a sweet, delicate, and floral flavor with notes of pear and lychee that pairs beautifully with the tart raspberries and lemon.
- Can I use a different berry? Absolutely. This “smash” style cocktail is fantastic with other muddled berries. Blackberries or a few sliced strawberries would be excellent substitutes for the raspberries.
- How can I make a non-alcoholic version? For a delicious mocktail, muddle the raspberries in a tall glass. Add the simple syrup and lemon juice, fill with ice, and top with club soda or a lemon-lime soda.
- Why shake the cocktail so vigorously? Shaking with ice does three important things: it thoroughly chills the ingredients, it provides a small amount of dilution which balances the drink, and it aerates the mixture, giving it a lighter texture.
What To Serve With a Raspberry Smash
This is a bright and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for a summer afternoon or as a pre-dinner drink. It pairs well with light and savory appetizers, such as:
- Goat cheese and fig crostini
- A simple cheese and charcuterie board
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon
- Shrimp skewers
How To Store a Raspberry Smash
- Best Served Fresh: This cocktail is at its absolute best when it is made fresh and served immediately, while the club soda is still bubbly.
- Making a Batch: If you want to make a larger batch for a party, you can combine the vodka, St. Germain, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a pitcher and keep it chilled. When ready to serve, muddle the raspberries in each glass, pour the mixture over ice, and then top with club soda.
Raspberry Smash Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 22g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
If you don’t have a shaker, a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, like a mason jar, works perfectly as a substitute.
Yes. For a more botanical and complex flavor, a good quality gin would be a fantastic substitute for the vodka, as its floral notes complement the elderflower liqueur.
You can, but you’ll need to thaw them first. Thawed frozen raspberries will be much softer and will break down more easily when muddled, which may result in a cloudier drink with more sediment, but the flavor will still be delicious.
Try More Recipes:
- Individual Raspberry Cobblers Recipe
- Almond-Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
- Lemon Raspberry Cake Recipe
Raspberry Smash Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutes280
kcalA bright, bubbly, and refreshing cocktail featuring muddled fresh raspberries, floral elderflower liqueur, and a vodka kick, all topped with club soda.
Ingredients
10 Fresh Raspberries
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. St. Germain Liqueur
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
Chilled Club Soda
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle 8 of the raspberries.
- Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka, St. Germain, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with the remaining 2 raspberries and a lemon slice.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to use freshly squeezed lemon juice; its bright, tart flavor is essential and cannot be replicated with bottled juice.
- Don’t over-muddle the raspberries; you want to gently crush them to release their juice, not pulverize them into a paste.
- For the best experience, use a tall Collins or highball glass to allow plenty of room for ice and the club soda topping.
- This cocktail is easily customizable; adjust the amount of simple syrup to make it more or less sweet to your personal taste.