Our Bourbon Smash cocktail combines bourbon, fresh mint, and lemon juice to create a delicious cocktail that's perfect for your next dinner party!
Classic cocktail recipes are some of our favorite things to make.
Whether it's bourbon, rum, gin or vodka, a great homemade cocktail only takes minutes to prepare.
Malibu Sunset, Coconut Mojitos, a Whiskey Sour, Strawberry Mimosas, and Hot Buttered Rum are some of the varieties that we enjoy most.
Our bourbon smash recipe is ideal for whiskey lovers. This muddled cocktail is the perfect way to enjoy a refreshing drink on hot days.
The great thing about bourbon cocktails is how easy they are to customize, and that's especially true with bourbon smashes.
Add a splash of orange juice, a touch of ginger ale or ginger beer, or add some extra sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Keep this simple cocktail cool with frozen fresh berries, like frozen blackberries, frozen blueberries, or even frozen peach slices.
Ingredients You'll Need for a Whiskey Smash:
- Simple Syrup: Either homemade or store-bought simple syrup works.
- Fresh Mint Leaves.
- Lemon.
- Bourbon: Use your favorite bourbon.
- Ice: You'll need plenty of ice for the cocktail shaker and the serving glass.
How to Make a Bourbon Smash:
Scroll to the recipe card below for full instructions and ingredient amounts!
- Add simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and lemon wedges to a cocktail shaker.
- Next, use a muddler (or wooden spoon) to crush the lemon and mint.
- Add the ice, and pour in the bourbon. Place the lid on the shaker and shake to combine.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass over ice.
- Serve with a fresh mint sprig or fresh lemon wheel. Enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- When making cocktails, use the spirit of choice. We use a mid-shelf range bourbon.
- Fresh mint is the best option for a bourbon smash. Extracts and oils don’t provide the best flavor.
- Use a large glass jar with a lid or stir the cocktail to mix everything together if you don’t have a cocktail shaker. You’ll still need to muddle the lemon and mint.
- To make this cocktail without mint, simply omit it. Optionally, substitute the mint with fresh basil or other fresh herbs for a different flavor combination.
Storage:
Our bourbon smash is best enjoyed immediately.
If you happen to have leftovers, remove the ice and store the drink in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an hour or two.
What flavors can you add to a whiskey smash?
There are several different flavor options for a bourbon smash. You can easily swap out the simple syrup for a flavored simple syrup.
Another option is to muddle the fruit and swap out the simple syrup. Some alternate flavor options are:
- Peach Bourbon Smash: Use peach simple syrup or muddle fresh peaches.
- Raspberry Bourbon Smash: Use a raspberry simple syrup or muddle fresh raspberries.
- Cherry Bourbon Smash: Use a cherry simple syrup or muddle fresh cherries.
- Strawberry Bourbon Smash: Use a strawberry simple syrup or muddle fresh strawberries.
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash: Use a blackberry simple syrup or muddle fresh blackberries.
- Blueberry Bourbon Smash: Use a blueberry simple syrup or muddle fresh blueberries.
What's the difference between a whiskey smash and a whiskey sour?
A whiskey smash is a cocktail that combines bourbon (or other whiskey) with fresh mint, lemon juice, and sometimes fruit.
It has more of a summery taste than the classic whiskey sour which normally includes rye or bourbon, a sweetener (such as sugar or simple syrup), lemon juice or lime juice, and Angostura bitters.
The overall flavor profile of the whiskey smash is lighter and has more of an herbal note while the whiskey sour is sweeter and tart.
What type of bourbon works best in a bourbon smash?
For a classic bourbon smash, we recommend using a smooth and slightly sweet bourbon such as Maker's Mark or Knob Creek.
However, feel free to experiment with different types of whiskey to find one that you enjoy best!
Other Cocktails You May Love:
Recipe Card with Ingredient Amounts and Instructions
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 8 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- ½ large lemon, cut into wedges
- Ice, for the cocktail shaker and serving glass
- 2 ounces bourbon
Instructions
- Add simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and lemon wedges to a cocktail shaker.1 ounce simple syrup8 mint leaves½ large lemon
- Use a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to crush the lemon and mint.
- Add the ice, and pour in the bourbon. Place the lid on the shaker and shake to combine.2 ounces bourbonIce
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass over ice.
- Serve with a fresh mint sprig or fresh lemon wheel. Enjoy!
- Scroll up and see the post for tips, FAQs, and storage recommendations.
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