The Whiskey Smash is simply smashing. It’s a refreshing pre-prohibition cocktail that’s more sweet than sour. It’s also super easy to craft at home with just a handful of ingredients.
The Whiskey Smash is proof that whiskey cocktails can be as refreshing as cocktails crafted with milder spirits like gin, rum and vodka. And, while it’s a drink you’ll want to sip all summer, it’s totally cool to sip Whiskey Smashes during the other three seasons.
What Is a Whiskey Smash?
The Whiskey Smash is a classic four-ingredient cocktail. Those ingredients are whiskey, simple syrup, lemon wedges and fresh mint.
The cocktail technically got its name since its recipe involves smashing lemon wedges and fresh mint leaves with a muddler. However, once you craft and sip a Whiskey Smash, you may wonder if the name is also derived from its smashing melange of flavors. It’s certainly a point worth debating.
History of the Whiskey Smash
The Whiskey Smash is far from a spring chicken.
The cocktail dates back to the 19th century when Jerry Thomas included the Whiskey Smash in the 1887 edition of his iconic Bartenders Guide. With similarities to other whiskey cocktails, namely the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour, the Whiskey Smash wasn’t revolutionary when it debuted.
However, after more than a century in the mixology zeitgeist, it’s fair to call this pre-prohibition cocktail a classic.
Ingredients
This Whiskey Sour recipe calls for the following ingredients:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a Whiskey Smash
You don’t need exotic ingredients or fancy equipment to craft a Whiskey Smash at home. In fact, you may already have everything in your pantry and liquor cabinet.
Measure the bourbon and simple syrup. We use a Japanese jigger for accurate measurements and to minimize spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Pour the bourbon and simple syrup into the shaker.
Add a handful of ice and shake until the ingredientes are combined and chilled – approximately 20 seconds.
Fill a lowball glass half way with ice cubes and strain the shaken cocktail into the glass.
Pro Tip
Use a fine mesh strainer if you don’t want any mint bits or lemon pulp in your Whiskey Smash. The cocktail will taste great either way.
Garnish with a mint sprig.
Sip and enjoy, preferably on a deck, patio or veranda.
Variations
Here are some ideas if you want to take the classic Whiskey Smash in a different direction:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Whiskey Smash is a refreshing cocktail that’s crafted with whiskey, lemon, fresh mint and simple syrup. While the classic cocktail has similarities to both the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour, it stands out from the cocktail crowd thanks to a ‘smashing’ step during which the lemon and mint are muddled.
Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Fresh Mint, Lemon Wedges and Ice Cubes
The Whiskey Smash is shaken, not stirred.
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Muddle the mint leaves and lemon wedges inside a cocktail shaker.
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Add the bourbon, simple syrup and a handfull of ice cubes.
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Shake until the ingredients are combined and chilled – approiximately 20 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass that’s half filled with ice cubes.
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Garnish with a mint sprig.
- You can replace the bourbon with Irish whiskey or rye.
- You can replace the lemon with another fruit. Both blueberries and peaches work well.
- You can replace the ice cubes (in the glass) with crushed ice.
