Tap here to get 5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

Easy Whiskey Smash

|
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
|

updated: 03/13/26

5 from 2 votes
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

A Whiskey Smash is a classic and easy cocktail that you will fall in love with. Combining the flavors of lemon, mint, and whiskey, this refreshing cocktail is going to become your new favorite.

It’s hard to beat a classic cocktail – they are classics for a reason. And this Whiskey Smash recipe is just such a classic. It is fresh, delicious, and so easy to make at home. Grab the ingredients for this weekend!

What is a Whiskey Smash

This delicious and easy cocktail gets its name from smashing (or muddling) mint leaves together with fresh lemon and Simple Syrup

Don’t you think sometimes the best cocktails are the simplest? These few fresh, simple ingredients combined with the whiskey make an ice-cold refreshing beverage that you will love over and over again.

Whiskey Smash Ingredients

  • Bourbon whiskey: It is important to use one that you truly love. I love to recommend that you visit a local distillery. They often let you sample so you can find a bourbon you really love and then you are supporting a local business too!
  • Mint leaves: I love growing fresh mint in the summer so I always have mint on hand for my cocktails. You can also buy a small plant to keep in your window for that fresh mint taste all year long.
  • Lemon: A key to this recipe is muddling an actual fresh lemon with the mint. This way you get the flavor from the juice as well as the rind.
  • Simple syrup: This is where the cocktail gets its sweetness. I love to make my own Simple Syrup because it is so easy, but if you don’t, find a bottle when you are picking up your whiskey.

How to Make a Whiskey Smash

Muddle the Ingredients

Add the lemon wedges, mint leaves, and simple syrup to a mixing glass. Gently muddle them together. If you don’t have a muddler, use the end of an ice cream scoop or wooden spoon.

Side view of person's hand muddling ingredients in cocktail shaker for Whiskey Smash recipe. Glass tumblers, bottle of bourbon, cocktail jigger, and mint leaves beside.

Add the Whiskey

Stir in your bourbon whiskey.

whiskey being poured into a mixing glass

Strain into a Cocktail Glass

Add lots of ice and garnish with an extra mint leaf or two and enjoy.

Side view of person's hand pouring cocktail shaker of ingredients into tumbler of ice for Whiskey Smash recipe. Muddler, cocktail jigger, bottle of bourbon, and another tumbler of Whiskey Smash recipe beside.

How to Serve

Serve your whiskey smash cocktail in a glass tumbler, such as a rocks glass, with lots of ice. Garnish it with a few mint leaves and enjoy immediately while the drink is cold.

How to Make a Pitcher of Whiskey Smash Cocktails

You will increase the ingredients to the following measurements to make a six drink pitcher:

  • 3/4 cup simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups whiskey
  • 1 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
  • 20 mint leaves

Muddle the mint leaves, simple syrup, and lemon wedges in the bottom of a pitcher or large bowl. Strain the mixture into a large pitcher for serving. Add the whiskey and lots of ice and stir to combine.

Side view of Whiskey Smash

If you try this whiskey smash recipe or any of my other cocktails, please leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

Photo of a Whiskey Smash garnished with mint leaves and lemon slice. Another Whiskey Smash and mint leaves beside.
5 from 2 votes

Whiskey Smash

Serves: 1 cocktail
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
A Whiskey Smash is a classic and easy cocktail that you will fall in love with. Combining the flavors of lemon, mint, and whiskey, this refreshing cocktail is going to become your new favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 lemon cut into wedges
  • 3-4 fresh mint leaves

Instructions

  • In a mixing glass, combine the lemon wedges, simple syrup, and mint leaves. Muddle the ingredients together.
  • Add bourbon to the mixing glass and stir to combine.
  • Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice and garnish with mint leaves.
Serving: 1cocktail Calories: 217kcal (11%) Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) Protein: 0.4g (1%) Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.02g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g Sodium: 18mg (1%) Potassium: 73mg (2%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 21g (23%) Vitamin A: 133IU (3%) Vitamin C: 15mg (18%) Calcium: 18mg (2%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Photo of a Whiskey Smash garnished with mint leaves and lemon slice. Another Whiskey Smash and mint leaves beside.

did you make this

Whiskey Smash

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Lisa is the founder of Simple Joy. Lisa, is a self taught cook and avid lover of all things food, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the last 10 years Lisa has been reading cookbooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and learning everything she possibly can about cooking. The result has been the ability to create recipes, both classics and new twists, that readers fall in love with and make with ease. Lisa loves not only providing delicious and easy recipes, but also giving the why behind what we are doing in the kitchen. She gets such great joy in sharing my love for food.

Lisa has been featured in many media outlets. These outlets include Country Living, Real Simple, Today, Parade, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, Delish, Elle, and many others.

Prior to becoming a food creator, Lisa was a social worker. She received her master’s in social work from the University of Milwaukee and worked in child welfare.

Lisa is the mom to four amazing kids: Gavin, Elliot, Quinn, and Piper. Gavin, Quinn, and Piper are happy, amazing kids she loves spending time with.

Her husband, Nathan, is her partner in life and in business. He is her rock in more ways than one and supports all of her crazy dreams.

Lisa and Nathan lost their second child, Elliot, when he was 8 days old. If you want to know more about Elliot, you can read it here. If you want to read more of Lisa’s experience of grief, you can read this post.

Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you & seeing what you made!

    Rate This Recipe:




  1. Mary says

    5 stars
    I really like your recipes! They’re my favorites!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m glad to hear it, Mary!

  2. Lucia says

    5 stars
    Thank you for the simplicity of your recepies. I particularly en-joy the snacks and cocktail ideas it really forces me to stop and smell the flowers, the spring showers,the sun sets.. my hubby.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you like are enjoying them! Thank you for these kind words!

SUPER-SIMPLEFAMILY FAVORITES
25 Minute Broccoli Pasta Recipe"Omg! I didn’t think anything so simple could be so good!"
overhead of skillet of Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients on a cooling rack with toasted bread sitting beside
Cajun Shrimp Pasta"My family absolutely loved this recipe. Even my finicky eaters."
Overhead view of a skillet of easy Beef and Broccoli with sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Easy Beef and Broccoli (25 Minutes)"I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe."

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

5 Secrets to Make Amazing Cocktails

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!