This whiskey smash cocktail recipe is super delicious and fun to drink! It is nicely balanced and delightfully refreshing!
FLASHBACK
Although this wasn’t the first time for me to make this cocktail, it was my first time tasting this wonderfully delicious whiskey smash cocktail.
I’ve turned into a whiskey/bourbon chick. When did this happen? Have I always been a whiskey lover but haven’t ventured that far out of my comfort zone to try a variety of cocktails?
Could I have been drinking this type of cocktail since I was of legal age?
My thought is, “No. I wouldn’t have liked it as a younger me.”
My parents liked whiskey and as an adoring and obedient teen, I would make them their drinks. (See? Bartending even at an early age!) I would secretly sip those drinks and I remember not liking whiskey and water (mom) or whiskey and ginger (dad).
I wonder if they knew I sipped their drinks?
Probably.
Don’t parents know everything? 😉
On to this wonderfully delicious whiskey smash cocktail recipe:
THE INGREDIENTS
What is in this cocktail? Bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, fresh mint and simple syrup.
I get my much used shaker out, along with my muddler and the rocks glass that I’m going to put this lovely libation in.
MIXING THE COCKTAIL
I start with the mint leaves. I used 5 good sized ones and a couple of little stragglers.
I place them into the shaker.
Next up is the simple syrup. I pour out 1 ounce.
I pour the simple syrup into the shaker to keep company with the mint leaves.
Now, I cut a lemon in half and then cut the half in half again. I try to get the seeds out but I don’t stress because I can fish them out later.
I use my hand to squeeze the juice from the lemon quarters into the shaker. I then plop them in with the mint and simple syrup.
Time to take my muddler and mash away! I don’t have a certain number of mashes that I normally do, I just look at it and make sure the lemons are squashed, the mint is broken and I can smell the lovely mint aroma without sticking my nose in the shaker.
Muddled to perfection!
Time to deal with the star: the bourbon whiskey! *Fireworks appear above the shaker and the crowd cheers* (And by crowd, I mean Christopher and myself.)
I measure out 2 ounces of bourbon. I really like this brand: Knob Creek. What is your favorite brand? Leave me a comment; I’d love to know.
I fish out the lemon wedges along with any stray seeds and set them aside.
I now pour the bourbon into the shaker.
We are getting closer peeps to imbibe this smashing drink! Get it? Smashing? Whiskey smash! Hahaha.
Err, cough. Not funny.
Now, I dash to the freezer and grab 5 ice cubes and place them gently in the shaker.
Time to cap the shaker and shake, shake, shake!
Look at it!! It’s a thing of beauty!
I pour it into the waiting rocks glass.
Time to take one of the lemon quarters and place it into the drink. You can use both in your drink, but I think it takes up too much space and looks nicer with the one lemon wedge.
I also stick my nifty stirrer in with the cocktail because it looks cool, and one likes to swizzle every once in a while, doesn’t one?
And the obligatory aerial view.
Are you drooling yet?
I am, writing this.
And just to show you behind the scenes and my set up to take these photos, because I think it’s interesting.
BOTTOMS UP
I hope you enjoyed this recipe! It is truly a delicious drink and if you like bourbon – Hey, even if you don’t – I bet you will like this cocktail!
Please leave me a comment if you are so inclined. Also, feel free to Pin and photo to Pinterest and Yum the recipe to Yummly.
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1/2 lemon cut into two pieces
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- Grab your shaker, muddler (or use the back of a wooden spoon) and a rocks glass
- Add mint and simple syrup in shaker
- Hand squeeze the lemon quarters into the shaker and drop the rinds in as well
- With a muddler, or the back of a wooden spoon, muddle the mint, syrup and lemons until the mint is very fragrant
- Fish the lemons out of the shaker along with any seeds, set aside
Add bourbon and 5 - 8 ice cubes
- Cap shaker and shake away
- Pour contents, including ice into the rocks glass
- Add a lemon quarter (or both, according to your taste)
- Place stirrer in cocktail
Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Surprisingly simple cocktail
Rahul,
Simple and delicious. Hehe!
Elaine
True! This is super delicious. Thank you for sharing a good post!
Thank you Faith!!
Elaine
Usually, that kind of “sour whiskey” is too sweet for my taste. But then those sour whiskies are mostly made with egg as well. But since I have some bourbon around since what feels like aaages.. And it doesn’t require too much does it. I have a question though: what do you mean by simple syrup? I have some (I think) vanilla syrup around, would that do?
Hi Cedrik,
Simple syrup is equal parts of water and sugar, heated until melted and then simmered for 5 minutes. You cool it before you make a cocktail though. Vanilla syrup might be too sweet. Especially since you said you didn’t like sweet. Thanks for the comment!
Yum. My husband is going to love this! Another great recipe Elaine!