glasses of basil bourbon peach cocktail next to plate of sliced peaches and coral flowers with green leaves around and a blue napkin

There’s no question that summertime produce is some of the best! It’s ripe and oh-so-juicy, making it perfect to muddle and mix in your cocktails. And one of my favorite  fruits to add to summer cocktails is peaches! If you’re ready for all the fun in the sun this year, don’t forget to add making the Grilled Peach & Basil Smash to your activities list! 

With summer officially here, fun events like barbecues and poolside parties are on the horizon. This means lots of grilling and sipping–and this peach cocktail is the perfect drink to make for your friends and family. (I recommend you pair this treat with these scrumptious S’mores Pops for a tasty treat to nibble on, too!) The Grilled Peach & Basil Smash also makes for a delicious bridal shower beverage, especially if you’re throwing a backyard affair!

This cocktail’s packed with rich flavors of brown sugar and bold bourbon, balanced by juicy peaches, herbaceous basil, citrus juice, and topped with zesty ginger beer. The star of this drink is the grilled peaches which can be enjoyed in the cocktail, with some vanilla ice cream, or all on their own. 

So how do you make this peach cocktail? Well, it’s pretty simple. Just muddle the grilled peach, lemon, and basil with some brown sugar in a cocktail glass. Then add the bourbon and ginger beer, fill with ice, and stir it up. Don’t forget to garnish with more grilled peach slices! Note: Even though the grilled peaches add a rich, smoky flavor to this drink, this cocktail would still be delicious if you skipped the grilling.

a glass of grilled peach basil cocktail next to a muddler and a peach

And if you have an event coming up that you think the Grilled Peach & Basil Smash would be perfect for, don’t forget to pair it with a cute summer outfit. Peruse a selection of feel-good summer styles, check out some fun makeup ideas, then complete your look with one of the season’s top nail trends. (I’m loving bright rainbow nails that you can totally DIY. ) With a fruity drink in hand and a leveled-up look, you’ll be summer-ready from head to toe!

Bonus tip: You can try this cocktail recipe with other grilled fruit, too–like pineapples or apples–for a fun twist. Grill it all up and sip it down! Trust me, you’re going to a-peach-iate this delicious drink. Scroll on to get all the instructions for your new favorite summer recipe.

Did you try this peach cocktail? Show us on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus–and head to our Summer Fashion edit to shop the season’s must-have styles.

For this recipe, we’ve partnered with our favorite mixologist, Carolyn from The Social Sipper! She creates delicious drinks for any occasion. Check her out on Instagram @thesocialsipper where she showcases fun and flavorful cocktails using simple ingredients! 

  • PREP TIME: 10 MINS
  • SERVES: 1
  • Summer Drink
  • Peach Bourbon Smash
  • Summer Drink Recipes
  • Bourbon cocktail
  • Summer Cocktail Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Peach, pit removed 
  • Oil
  • 2 basil leaves, plus more for garnish
  • lemon wedge
  • 1/2 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • Ginger beer

Directions

Step 1:

Preheat a grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Place a lightly oiled peach half, cut side down on the grill and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, cube 1/4th of the peach, and slice the rest of the peach for garnish.

Step 2:

Add cubed peach, basil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and brown sugar to a cocktail glass and gently muddle until the peach is broken down and brown sugar is dissolved. Add bourbon to the glass and stir.

Step 3:

Fill the glass with crushed ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with grilled peach slices and basil.