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
As I mentioned, this is a simple cocktail with simple ingredients. Here is what you need (for the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post):
- 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.
Simple Syrup
How to Make a Whiskey Smash
Here is how this refreshing whiskey smash cocktail comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Muddle. 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.
- Add the whiskey. Stir in your bourbon whiskey.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Add lots of ice and garnish with an extra mint leaf or two and enjoy.
Using Fresh Lemons
As mentioned above, we are using fresh lemons that are cut into wedges in this cocktail. Muddling the whole lemon wedge with simple syrup and mint leaves brings the perfect fresh flavor to this cocktail. I would not recommend replacing this with bottled lemon juice.
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.
Make a Pitcher
If you are serving this refreshing cocktail to a group, make it easy by making a pitcher! This will make enough for six drinks. 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. You will increase the ingredients to the following measurements:
- 3/4 cup simple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups whiskey
- 1 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
- 20 mint leaves
Whiskey Smash vs. Whiskey Sour
While both delicious, a Whiskey Sour and whiskey smash. A whiskey sour is made with lemon juice while a whiskey smash is made with actual fresh lemon muddled with mint (hence the word “smash” in the name of the cocktail). A classic whiskey sour also contains egg white which is not an ingredient in the whiskey smash recipe.
Other Great Whiskey Cocktails
On the prowl for even more ways to use that great whiskey? These are some of my favorites:
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!
Whiskey Smash
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.
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