Peach Bourbon Smash

Recipe: Colleen Burke , Vesper , Atlanta

Photo: John Valls

July 08, 2026

A smash featuring a classic summer duo.

An innately perfect pairing, bourbon and peaches simply tastes like summer. At Vesper in Atlanta, they take advantage of the local flavor for an easy smash created by Colleen Burke, who manages the floor but likes to experiment behind the bar. “We’re in Georgia, so we’ve got easy access to great peaches, and we decided to add red pepper flakes for something both sweet and spicy,” says Vesper owner Damien McGee. “It’s a Georgia drink for a Georgia bar.

Ingredients

2 oz. bourbon
1 oz. roasted peach purée
1/2 of a fresh lemon

Tools:muddler, shaker, strainer
Glass:double Old Fashioned
Garnish:dehydrated lemon wheel

Preparation

In a shaker, muddle the lemon with the bourbon and the peach purée. Shake without ice to mix ingredients, strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with crushed ice, then garnish.
Roasted Peach PuréeSpread 2 1/2 lbs. of chopped fresh or frozen peaches on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar and red pepper flakes (adjusting for preference on sweetness and spice). Roast in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes, until the edges of the peaches are charred. Remove from the oven to cool. Once fully cooled, add the peaches to a food processor or blender with 8 oz. of peach liqueur and purée until very smooth.
Bottle for use within 1 month.