Meyer Lemon Bourbon Smash

A muddled slice of fragrant Meyer lemon, bourbon, a homemade vanilla-bean infusion and orange bitters, stirred over ice and topped with soda. Floral, citrusy and mellow, for poolside afternoons or the dinner table.

Total time: 30 min
Serving: 1

Naturally sweet twist
Floral & mellow

A rocks glass of amber drink over ice with a cherry and orange slice, on slate beside orange slices and a jigger — Sour meets Sweet Magic

Ingredients

Showing the cocktail. Switch to Mocktail for the alcohol-free version.

Vanilla bean infusion (makes about 1 cup)

1 vanilla bean, split lengthways and scraped
1 cup water

Cocktail

1 (¼-inch-thick) slice Meyer lemon
ice
2 oz bourbon
½ oz vanilla bean infusion
4 dashes orange bitters
soda water, to top
2–3 Richberry halves

How to Make It

Make the infusion
Simmer the vanilla bean and its seeds with the water in a small pan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Cool and store
Leave to cool completely at room temperature, then remove the pod. Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.
Muddle and stir
Muddle the Meyer lemon slice in a rocks glass. Add ice, the bourbon, ½ oz vanilla infusion and the bitters, and stir.
Top
Top up with soda water and serve.
Add the Richberry twist
Just before your first sip, chew 2–3 Richberry halves gently and let them linger for about 30 seconds. Discard any pit, then taste how the sour notes turn sweet.

Richberry changes the taste, not the drink: a cocktail may taste softer, but it is just as strong. Please enjoy it responsibly.