Whiskey Smash

published Apr 30, 2022
a whiskey cocktail with a green leaf garnish and lemon slices in the background.
Credit: Maria Do

One of the best ways to spruce up cocktail hour is to bring in fresh fruit and herbs, and this whiskey smash is the perfect embodiment of that.

Serves1

Prep5 minutes

Jump to Recipe
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a whiskey cocktail with a green leaf garnish and lemon slices in the background.
Credit: Maria Do

One of the best ways to spruce up cocktail hour is to enlist the help of fresh fruit and herbs. This classic whiskey smash is the perfect embodiment of that. It features fresh mint and lemon wedges, which are muddled together to release their natural oils and fragrances. Add a few ounces of whiskey bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice to the mix, and you’ve got a refreshing and impressive cocktail.

What’s a Whiskey Smash? 

A whiskey smash is a classic cocktail, similar to a mint julep, that dates back to the 1880s. It’s made with fresh lemon juice, mint, sweetener, and bourbon whiskey and served over ice. Unlike other whiskey cocktails that often have a strong taste, a whiskey smash’s refreshing ingredients brighten the bourbon whiskey to make for a pleasant and refreshing cocktail.

Credit: Maria Do

What’s a Whiskey Smash Made Of? 

  • Bourbon whiskey
  • Simple syrup
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh mint
  • Ice

How to Garnish a Whiskey Smash

Garnish a whiskey smash with a fresh mint sprig, a lemon wedge, or both. 

 

Whiskey Smash Recipe

One of the best ways to spruce up cocktail hour is to bring in fresh fruit and herbs, and this whiskey smash is the perfect embodiment of that.

Prep time 5 minutes

Serves 1

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/2

    medium lemon

  • 5

    fresh mint leaves

  • 2 cups

    crushed ice, divided

  • 2 ounces

    bourbon whiskey

  • 1 ounce

    simple syrup

  • 1 sprig

    fresh mint

Instructions

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  1. Cut 1/2 medium lemon into 4 slices and place in a cocktail shaker or large mason jar with a lid. Add 5 fresh mint leaves. Muddle the mint and lemon with a muddler or wooden spoon until most of the lemon juice is released (about 1 tablespoon juice).

  2. Fill a cocktail glass with 1 cup of the crushed ice. Add 2 ounces bourbon whiskey, 1 ounce simple syrup, and the remaining 1 cup crushed ice to the shaker. Seal and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Pour through a strainer into the glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve immediately.