Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Rum
- 2 oz Cranberry Juice
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- .5 oz Sugar Syrup
- 10 Raspberries
- 5 Mint Leaves
- 1 dash Bitters
- Ginger Ale
Instructions
Muddle Raspberries and Mint:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle 10 raspberries and 5 mint leaves.
Add Ingredients:
- Add 1.5 oz rum, 2 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz sugar syrup, and 1 dash bitters to the shaker.
Shake:
- Shake well to mix and chill the ingredients.
Strain:
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
Top with Ginger Ale:
- Top with ginger ale.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Mockingjay Smash Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Mockingjay Smash Cocktail is a modern creation, almost certainly a themed drink inspired by “The Hunger Games” series. Its exact origins are unknown, but the combination of fresh fruit, rum, and a fizzy top makes it a popular choice for contemporary cocktail menus and home bartenders looking for something new and visually appealing. It fits well into the category of easy-drinking, approachable cocktails that gained popularity in the 21st century.
This cocktail is a classic ‘smash’ style drink, which typically involves muddling fresh fruit and herbs with a spirit, citrus, and a sweetener, often topped with soda. It shares DNA with drinks like the Mojito, with its rum and mint base, or a modern Gin Smash. What sets the Mockingjay Smash apart is the specific combination of cranberry, raspberry, and the spicy kick of ginger ale, giving it a unique sweet-tart profile that leans into berry notes.
You’d find the Mockingjay Smash Cocktail at a casual bar with a strong seasonal fruit program, a patio restaurant, or certainly at any themed party where a visually striking and refreshing drink is desired. It’s a crowd-pleaser that works well for social gatherings, offering a bit more character than a simple highball without being overly complex.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, the Mockingjay Smash delivers a burst of tart cranberry and lemon, quickly followed by the sweet, jammy notes of muddled raspberries. The rum provides a smooth, subtle backbone, allowing the fruit to shine, while the fresh mint offers a cooling counterpoint. The finish is clean and refreshing, with the gentle spice of ginger ale lingering, making it a balanced and highly quaffable drink.
With 1.5 oz of 40% ABV rum and around 7-8 oz of total liquid volume once the ginger ale is added, this drink clocks in at roughly 7-8% ABV. That puts it squarely in the range of a strong craft beer or a cider, making it a relatively sessionable cocktail. It’s not a heavy hitter, but it definitely lets you know there’s alcohol in there, without being overwhelming.
The technique
Building this drink starts with a gentle muddle. Get those raspberries and mint leaves into your shaker and press just enough to release their oils and juices without pulverizing them into a bitter mess. Then, everything else goes in except the ginger ale. Give it a good, hard shake with ice to get it thoroughly chilled and properly diluted. A fine strain into a fresh glass with ice is key to keep out any stray fruit bits or mint fragments. Finally, top it off with ginger ale for that essential fizz and subtle spice.
The most critical technique here is the muddle. For mint, you want to bruise, not pulverize, to release aromatic oils without extracting bitter chlorophyll. For raspberries, a gentle press is enough to break them down and release their juice without turning them into a pulpy sludge that’s hard to strain. Over-muddling will give you a cloudy drink with off-flavors, so go easy.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Rum
- Use
- A good quality light or white rum is your best bet here. Bacardi Superior, Havana Club 3 Años, or Plantation 3 Stars will provide a clean, smooth base that lets the fruit shine without adding too much funk or barrel character.
- Skip
- Dark rums, spiced rums, or agricole rums. They’re too assertive and will overpower the delicate fruit and mint notes, turning this into a completely different drink.
- Why
- Rum provides the foundational spirit, offering a touch of sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel that complements the tart and sweet fruit components. Its relatively neutral profile ensures the other ingredients are the stars of the show.
Raspberries
- Use
- Fresh, ripe raspberries are ideal for their vibrant flavor and aroma. If fresh aren’t available, frozen raspberries, thawed slightly, will work in a pinch. Just be aware they might be a bit softer to muddle.
- Skip
- Raspberry syrups or liqueurs as a direct substitute for the muddled fruit. While they can add flavor, they lack the fresh, bright, and slightly tart complexity that actual muddled raspberries bring to the drink.
- Why
- Raspberries contribute a distinct sweet-tart berry flavor and a beautiful color. When muddled, they release aromatic compounds and juices that are essential for the drink’s complexity and overall fruit profile.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Mockingjay Mule
- Spicy ginger kick
- Swap the ginger ale for a spicier ginger beer and consider adding a small squeeze of fresh lime juice for an extra layer of zing.
Smash Collins
- Spirit swap for a different base
- Substitute the rum with gin or vodka for a cleaner, crisper profile. Gin will add botanical notes, while vodka will let the fruit shine even more prominently.
Blackberry Smash
- Alternative berry profile
- Replace raspberries with fresh blackberries for a deeper, earthier berry flavor. Adjust sugar syrup slightly as blackberries can be less sweet.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Vodka or a light gin can work, though it will change the character of the drink. Vodka will be cleaner, gin will add botanicals.
Pomegranate juice offers a similar tartness and color, though it might be slightly sweeter. Cherry juice could also work for a different berry profile.
Lime juice is a good substitute, but you may need to adjust the sugar syrup slightly as lime is often more tart.
You can muddle a teaspoon of granulated sugar with the fruit and mint, or use agave nectar, adjusting for sweetness.
Fresh strawberries or blackberries can be muddled instead for a similar fresh fruit effect, just be mindful of their sweetness levels.
A few drops of high-quality mint extract can be used very sparingly, or try basil for a different herbaceous note.
You can omit them, but the drink might lose a touch of its aromatic complexity. A tiny pinch of salt can surprisingly help balance flavors.
Ginger beer will give you a much spicier drink. Alternatively, club soda with a dash of ginger syrup can mimic the flavor.
Any tall glass, like a pint glass or a large tumbler, will do the trick.
A large jar with a tight-fitting lid can be used to shake the ingredients. Just make sure it seals well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Mockingjay Smash Cocktail?
The Mockingjay Smash Cocktail contains rum, cranberry juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup, fresh raspberries, mint leaves, a dash of bitters, and is topped with ginger ale.
Is the Mockingjay Smash Cocktail very sweet?
It has a good balance of sweetness from the raspberries and sugar syrup, cut by the tartness of cranberry and lemon juice. The ginger ale adds a refreshing, not overly sweet, finish.
Can I make the Mockingjay Smash Cocktail in a large batch?
Yes, you can combine all ingredients except the ginger ale in a pitcher and chill. When serving, pour over ice and top each glass with ginger ale individually to maintain fizz.
What kind of rum is best for this drink?
A light or white rum is generally recommended. It provides a smooth base without overpowering the fresh fruit and mint flavors.
Can I use frozen fruit for the Mockingjay Smash Cocktail?
Yes, frozen raspberries can be used. Allow them to thaw slightly before muddling to make it easier to extract their juices.
Is the Mockingjay Smash Cocktail a strong drink?
No, it’s a relatively light cocktail, comparable in alcohol content to a strong beer. It’s designed to be refreshing and easy to drink.
What kind of bitters should I use?
Aromatic bitters, such as Angostura Bitters, are the standard choice and will add a nice layer of spice and complexity to the drink.
What if I don’t like ginger ale?
You can substitute ginger ale with club soda for a less spicy, more neutral effervescence, or use ginger beer for a bolder ginger flavor.
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