8 Smash Cocktails
You Need to Make at Home
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT
Smash cocktails are a family of cocktails and like many cocktails, the exact definition of the Smash is a little, well, muddled.
The main features of modern Smashes are a base spirit, muddled (but not always!) fresh fruit or herbs, and a sweetener, shaken (but not always!) and served over Crushed Ice.
The Smash is extremely versatile and very much open to customization. A Rocks Glass, Crushed or Shaved Ice, and seasonal fruits, whether used as an ingredient or simply as a garnish, are all key components. Finally, the base can be any spirit of choice. So, the perfect Smash is really one that you enjoy drinking the most.
Throwing a party or simply plan to sit in your backyard and enjoy the sun with a drink? Below are eight smashes every home bartender needs to make!
1. Vodka Basil Smash
Let’s start this Smash collection with a world class drink – the Vodka Basil Smash. Originally made with Gin to create the Basil Smash, somewhere along the way, Vodka was used instead, and the rest you can say is history.
As Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador says, “It’s super simple (to make) and it’s kind of a twist on the Whiskey Smash where they’ve literally replaced the Whiskey for Vodka and replaced Mint for Basil. This is very much a Sours recipe.”
Gently muddle Basil Leaves and Fresh Lemon Juice together in a Cocktail Shaker to give them a good ol’ smash. Next add Simple Syrup, followed by Vodka and Ice. Give everything a good shake and then use a Fine Mesh Strainer to strain your cocktail into a Rocks Glass. Sip and enjoy! Here’s the recipe for a Basil Smash with Vodka.
2. Watermelon Smash
And just like that, summer has come! Regardless of what it’s doing outside, it’s always summer when you’re sipping a Watermelon Smash.
This drink muddles Fresh Watermelon with Simple Syrup in a shaker before Fresh Lemon Juice and Watermelon-Flavored Vodka is added.
Garnish with a Watermelon Wedge and you’ve got everything you need for a fine summer’s day. Get the recipe for the Watermelon Smash.
3. Caipiroska
We mentioned the Caipiroska earlier as a great example of a modern Smash cocktail. That’s true, however, this Smash requires no shaking.
To make the Caipiroska, cut a Lime into four quarters, place them into a Rocks Glass and get muddling. Next add Simple Syrup, followed by Vodka and top with Shaved Ice. Then give everything a nice stir, or as Rico would say, “give everything a nice schmuddle” before adding more Shaved Ice. Incredible!
4. Whiskey Smash
Also known as a Bourbon Smash, depending on your choice of Whiskey, the Whiskey Smash was one of the earliest written references of a Smash drink.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Whiskey Smash is that you don’t always muddle the ingredients despite its name! Our preferred recipe is to use Fresh Lemon Juice and shake all the ingredients together before straining the cocktail into a Rocks Glass filled with Ice Cubes. Alternatively, you can muddle Lemon Wedges in a Cocktail Shaker, add Simple Syrup, Whiskey, and Ice, shake well, and then double strain the mixture into the Glass
A timeless classic, discover the recipe for a Whiskey Smash or Bourbon Smash.
5. The Mandrin Crush
Here’s another example of a Smash drink where, like the Whiskey Smash, you don’t actually muddle any of the ingredients, but instead add everything into a shaker and smash it about instead.
The Mandrin Crush mixes Absolut Mandrin (Mandarin-Flavored Vodka), Fresh Lemon Juice, Passion Fruit Syrup, Simple Syrup and Ice. After shaking, it’s then strained directly into a Rocks Glass filled with Crushed Ice and garnished with an Orange Wedge.
And what does it taste like? “You’ve got the tropical vibes coming from the Passion Fruit, you’ve got those sweet Orange vibes coming from the Absolut Mandrin, all balanced out with some Fresh Lemon Juice,” Rico shares.
Tip! You can also use Passion Fruit Purée if you don’t have Passion Fruit Syrup. And that’s where the muddling comes in – simply muddle some Fresh Passion Fruit together with Sugar and Water to create your Passion Fruit Purée! Discover the recipe for the Mandrin Crush.
6. Basil Smash
We’ve already mentioned the Vodka Basil Smash, now it’s time to revisit the original Basil Smash made with Gin.
Muddle the Basil Leaves and Fresh Lemon Juice together in a Shaker, then add Simple Syrup, your favorite Gin (personally, we like Beefeater) and Ice. Shake it all up, then use a Fine Mesh Strainer to strain your cocktail into a Rocks Glass.
There’s something special about those aromatic notes of the Gin that work so well with the Basil Leaves. Discover how to make a classic Basil Smash.
7. Smoked Pineapple Smash
Here’s another great example of a Smash drink that’s smashed or muddled directly in the Rocks Glass – no shaking or straining.
The Smoked Pineapple Smash is a unique Vodka Smash that combines flavors of Fresh Pineapple, Lemon and…wait for it…Sage, as well as a wonderful smokiness and spiciness that comes courtesy of some Peated Whiskey.
Muddle Fresh Lemon Wedges and Pineapple Chunks with Simple Syrup so the mixture becomes like a pulp. Next, add Vodka and Crushed Ice, before giving it a stir and adding a few dashes of Peated Whiskey. The Peated Whiskey works so well with the Pineapple. Roasted Pineapple, anyone?
Garnish with Sage and a Fresh Pineapple Wedge, and you’ve got, in the words of Rico, “A perfect Smash and a perfect summer sipper.” Take a look at our recipe for a Smoked Pineapple Smash.
8. Raspiroska
We’ve got one more for you and it’s another one where no shakers or blenders are required. The Raspiroska is a built drink (meaning it’s built directly in the glass) mixing Fresh Muddled Raspberries, Absolut Raspberri, Simple Syrup, and Crushed Ice.
Pro tip from Hedda Bruce, Award-Winning Bartender and Bar Manager: Before adding the Crushed Ice, always taste your mix whenever you’re muddling Fresh Fruits as their flavor can vary depending on the season and region. You might need to adjust with a bit more citrus or sweetness to get it just right.
And when the Raspiroska is done right, it’s a drink that turns any day into an unforgettable summer’s day. Get the recipe for a Raspiroska.
Cocktail recipes by ingredient
Top ten drinks for any occasion
Lemon Drop Shot
Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemon, Sugar, Superfine, Ice Cubes
Cosmopolitan
Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice (sweetened), Orange Zest, Ice Cubes
Bloody Mary
Absolut Vodka, Tomato Juice, Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Lemon, Celery
Appletini
Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Ice Cubes
Long Island Iced Tea
Absolut Vodka, Light Rum, Gin, Tequila Blanco, Lemon Juice, Triple Sec, Cola, Lemon, Ice Cubes
Amaretto Sour
Amaretto, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Maraschino, Orange, Ice Cubes
