If you’re new to Queen Bee Mixology, you may not know how much I love adding my personal twist to classic cocktail recipes. And today’s Rosemary Meets Peaches is no exception! Here, I’ve taken the ever-popular Bourbon Peach Smash and created something that is just a touch more my style. While the traditional libation calls for mint, I’ve chosen to swap that out in favor of a delicious rosemary simple syrup. You’ve got my word that result is an herbaceous cocktail that will have the guests at your next happy hour asking for a second round.

Generally speaking, a smash cocktail is really any drink that requires you to mash fresh fruit in a cocktail shaker followed by a spirit, a sweetener, and an herb. These qualifications are pretty loose, which means there are countless possible combinations! After some quick googling, I learned that the first smash cocktails began showing up on menus sometime in the early 1860s, with the first of them being served on shaved ice–much like a Julep. In other renditions, bartenders have poured them over cubed ice, added in a touch of soda water, or served them straight up like me!

Some purists would argue that in order to qualify as a smash, the drink you’re shaking up should use seasonal fruit. Happy, and able, to follow that rule, I took a late summer stroll to the farmer’s market, where the ripe and juicy peaches grabbed my attention. And boy are they a welcome addition to this cocktail! The peaches’ sweet flavor balances perfectly with my favorite bourbon to create a delightful happy hour sensation. Don’t have fresh peaches on hand? No stress! There is always canned fruit to help you enjoy this lovely cocktail any time of year.