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Whiskey Smash Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Whiskey Smash is a cocktail that dates back to the late 19th century and belongs to the smash family of cocktails. It’s also known as a Bourbon Smash, depending, of course, on whether you use Bourbon as your choice of Whiskey.

The Mint really takes center stage here, and pairs wonderfully with the oakiness and caramel flavors from the Whiskey, and the acidity of Lemon Juice, all combining to create a perfect summer sipper.

Let’s get smashing!

How To Make a Whiskey Smash

What You’ll Need

• Paring Knife 
• Citrus Elbow (or Citrus Press)
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Boston Shaker
• Hawthorne Strainer
• Rocks Glass

How to Mix

1. Fill the smaller tin of a Boston Shaker with Ice Cubes.
2. Measure and pour Whiskey into the smaller tin of the Shaker using a Jigger.
3. Cut a Lemon in half and use a Citrus Elbow to extract the juice into the Jigger, then pour the Lemon Juice into your Shaker.
4. Measure and pour Simple Syrup into the Shaker.
5. Grab 8-10 Mint Leaves, give them a gentle slap, and add them to the Shaker.
6. Assemble the Boston Shaker and shake vigorously.
7. Fill a Rocks Glass with Ice Cubes.
8. Place a Hawthorne Strainer over the Shaker and strain the cocktail into the Rocks Glass.
9. Garnish with a Mint Sprig.
10. Sip and enjoy!

The History of the Whiskey Smash

One of the earliest examples of a Smash cocktail appeared in a cocktail book in the 1840s, although the name ‘smash’ wasn’t used at the time. It wasn’t until the late 1880s that the term was coined to describe how to make the Whiskey Smash.

However, it was the Mint Julep, allegedly first mentioned in 1770, that paved the way for the Smash. Originally a stirred drink with Fresh Mint, the Smash differentiates itself from the Mint Julep by muddling and often shaking the ingredients, as in the case of the Whiskey Smash.

Its popularity has come and gone throughout the years but it has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years.

Tips for Making the Perfect Whiskey Smash

• Sweeten your drink to your liking
  If you’d like your drink to be sweeter, add a little more Simple Syrup. On the other hand, if your drink is too sweet, increase the Lemon Juice or reduce the Simple Syrup.

• Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
  Yes, the bottled Lemon Juice you find at your local supermarket might be quicker and more convenient but the difference to your Whiskey Smash when you use Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice is like night and day.

Variations of a Whiskey Smash

• Experiment with different Whiskies
  The flavor profile of your drink will depend on the type of Whiskey used. Bourbon is the most common choice for a Whiskey Smash, but experimenting with different whiskies can create unique and varied flavor characteristics.For example, I made a Whiskey Smash using Canadian Rye Whiskey, and it was super smooth, soft with deliciously warm Caramel and Vanilla notes.

  Learn more about the different Whiskey types here.

• Muddle Lemon Wedges
  Although our preferred recipe uses Fresh Lemon Juice and shakes all the ingredients together, another popular option is to muddle Lemon Wedges in the Cocktail Shaker, then add Simple Syrup, Whiskey, and Ice, shake well, and double strain the cocktail into the Glass.

  Check out our article on how to muddle cocktails.

  For more Smashes, be sure to explore our collection of Smash Cocktails.
  

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Whiskey Smash

We recommend serving the Whiskey Smash in a Rocks Glass filled with Ice Cubes. To garnish, we recommend a Mint Sprig. Another very popular option is to garnish the drink with a Lemon Wedge in addition to the Mint Sprig.