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Whiskey Smash Cocktail

If you’re a fan of whiskey, why not kick it up a notch with a whiskey smash cocktail? This classic drink, bursting with a sweet flavor and fruity aromas that perfectly complement the boldness of whiskey, will have your taste buds singing!

Close up of a glass with the smash cocktail in it with mint and lemon
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

When I’m looking for a refreshing whiskey drink, I’d either go with this delicious whiskey smash or I’d imbibe a whiskey sour. There is something so delicious about the pairing of whiskey, simple syrup, and lemon.

The difference between the whiskey smash and whiskey sour is for the smash; you “smash” or muddle the lemon wedges and the fresh mint leaves. In the sour, there aren’t any mint leaves, and you squeeze out the lemon juice.

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Helpful
Tips
  • One of the most important tips I can impart to you is always wash your citrus well, especially if you either juice it or muddle it as you do here. You even need to wash it if you are using citrus as garnish. The reason why is that you need to remove as many pesticides as you can because you don’t want to be drinking residual pesticides.
  • I do it two different ways – Here’s how to wash citrus: 1.) I use a cloth that has a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side scrubs the fruit’s skin and the smooth side buffs or shines the fruit. Take a lemon in your hand and run cold water over it. Next, take the cloth and rub the skin with the rough side as well as you can. Rinse again with cold water.
  • 2.) Squirt some natural, unscented hand soap in your hand and scrub the skin between your hands. Next, take a vegetable brush and scrub the skin. Rinse the fruit under cold water.
  • Use as many or as few mint sprigs in your cocktail as you prefer. I use between 10 – 20, plus some leaves for garnish.
  • If you don’t own a muddler, you can use the back or handle of a wooden spoon.
  • After pouring the liquid into the glasses, you can add some of the muddled mint leaves to the cocktails, but I toss the muddled lemon wedges and cut fresh ones for garnish.
  • Some people use crushed ice in the whisky smash but I think crushed ice melts too fast and waters down the cocktail, so I use BIG cubes that melt slowly.
  • For this whiskey recipe, I find that the sweet-to-sour ratio should be more sweet than sour so I use roughly a 2:1 ratio. I find that a medium lemon yields at least one ounce of lemon juice, but you don’t need to measure it out as you are muddling the wedges in the cocktail shaker. Just trust me on this, it will be delicious.
  • I’m using Crown Royal whiskey in this recipe because that was my mom’s favorite brand, but use whichever you prefer. A good alternative is an Irish whiskey like Jameson.
  • I like my double old fashioned glasses but you can also use a rocks glass.
two glasses with the bourbon cocktail it it with mint and lemon as garnish - horizontal
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

How to make a whiskey smash cocktail

Pre-step

Get a cocktail shaker, measuring glass, muddler, and two double old-fashioned glasses.

You will not fill the cocktail shaker with ice as you will muddle the mint and lemon in it.

After measuring out the ingredients, add them to the cocktail shaker.

Cut a lemon in half and cut two wedges. Set aside for the garnish along with a few mint leaves.

Step one

Get the ingredient – whiskey, lemon, fresh mint, and simple syrup.

Whiskey, mint, lemon, and simple syrup on a table
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

Step two

Add the mint leaves to the cocktail shaker, also measure out the simple syrup. (A)

Step three

Cut a large lemon in quarters. (B) Remove any errant seeds before placing the wedges in the cocktail shaker.

Simple syrup measured out and lemon's cut in wedges
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

Step four

Take the muddler and muddle the syrup, lemon wedges, and simple syrup for at least 2 minutes. You should be able to smell the mint and lemon as you muddle. (C)

Step five

Before I measure out the whiskey, I fish the lemon wedges and most of the mint out of the liquid in the shaker. The reason I do this is that it makes it easier to strain the liquid into the glassware, otherwise, it will clog the shaker.

Step six

Measure out 4 ounces of whiskey. (D)

Cocktail shaker with a muddler, mint, and lemon. And whiskey measured out
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

Step seven

Add ice to the shaker. Place the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

Step eight

Add fresh ice to the glasses. Strain, divide, and pour the liquid between the two glasses. Squeeze a fresh lemon wedge into each glass and add the wedge to the liquid. Also, add a few mint sprigs on top of the cubes.

I can’t wait to taste it.

mint floating on the cocktail with whiskey and lemon
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

Look at it!!  It’s a thing of beauty!

A sloped glass with the whiskey drink with lemon and mint in front of another
Image Credit: Dishes Delish.

I hope you enjoyed this whiskey smash cocktail! It is truly a delicious drink and really hits the spot.

Other delicious whiskey cocktail recipes

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you love whiskey, you have to check out these glasses I got from Glencairn! They are beautiful, and your whiskey drink will taste so delicious.

Two Glencairn mixer glasses on a colorful table. One is on top of the box it came in
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

square photo of the two glasses with the amber drink with mint and lemon

Whiskey Smash Cocktail

Discover the signature flavor of a timeless classic with this Whiskey Smash Cocktail! Enjoy smoky whiskey, zesty citrus, and refreshing mint that comes together for an unforgettable sip.
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktails
Keyword: whiskey cocktail, whiskey smash
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 cocktails
Calories: 228kcal

Ingredients

  • 20 mint leaves
  • 2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 lemon (cut into quarters)
  • 4 ounces bourbon whiskey

Garnish

  • 2 lemon wedges
  • 6 mint leaves

Instructions

  • Get your shaker, muddler (or use the back of a wooden spoon), measuring glass, and glassware.
  • Add mint and simple syrup to the shaker.
  • With a muddler, or the back of a wooden spoon, muddle the mint, syrup, and lemon wedges until the mint is very fragrant. It takes about 1 – 2 minutes.
  • Fish the lemon wedges and most of the mint leaves out of the shaker along with any seeds, and set aside.
  • Add bourbon and 5 – 8 ice cubes.
  • Place the lid on the shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
  • Add fresh ice to the glasses. Strain, divide, and pour the liquid between the two glasses.
  • Add a lemon quarter to both glasses and float the mint leaves on top of the liquid.
  • Sip
  • Smile
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Helpful tips
    • One of the most important tips I can impart to you is always washing your citrus well, especially if you either juice it or muddle it as you do here. You even need to wash it if you are using citrus as garnish. The reason why is that you need to remove as many pesticides as you can because you don’t want to be drinking residual pesticides.
    • I do it two different ways – Here’s how to wash citrus: 1.) I use a cloth that has a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side scrubs the fruit’s skin and the smooth side buffs or shines the fruit. Take a lemon in your hand and run cold water over it. Next, take the cloth and rub the skin with the rough side as well as you can. Rinse again with cold water.
    • 2.) Squirt some natural, unscented hand soap in your hand and scrub the skin between your hands. Next, take a vegetable brush and scrub the skin. Rinse the fruit under cold water.
    • Use as many or as few mint leaves in your cocktail as you like. I use between 10 – 20, plus some leaves for garnish.
    • If you don’t own a muddler, you can use the back or handle of a wooden spoon.
    • After pouring the liquid into the glasses, you can add some of the muddled mint leaves to the cocktails, but I toss the muddled lemon wedges and cut fresh ones for garnish.
    • Some people use crushed ice in the whisky smash but I think crushed ice melts too fast and waters down the cocktail, so I use BIG cubes that melt slowly.
    • For this whiskey smash recipe, I find that the sweet-to-sour ratio should be more sweet than sour so I use roughly a 2:1 ratio. I find that a medium lemon yields at least one ounce of lemon juice, but you don’t need to measure it out as you are muddling the wedges in the cocktail shaker. Just trust me on this, it will be delicious.
  • I’m using Crown Royal whiskey in this recipe because that was my mom’s favorite brand, but use whichever you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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28 Comments

  1. 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?

    1. 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!

  2. Sounds like a great patio drink. Love the citrus for summer. Being your own bartender is so much fun.

  3. Oh, this whiskey smash cocktail is a game-changer! It’s like a party for my taste buds with every sip. Cheers to the perfect blend of boldness and deliciousness! Can’t wait to impress my bf with this

  4. You had me at lemon juice and whiskey! Loved the combination of the two ingredients, along with the hint of freshness from the mint. I made the cocktail using maple syrup instead of simple syrup, I thought it was just so delicious! Will be making this cocktail all summer long.

  5. I would have never thought to combine bourbon and mint! I thought it’d be strange, but tried it anyway. I was so wrong! They’re amazing together. Thanks so much for the great recipe!

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Erin. Mint definitely is a ‘thing’ with bourbon – the mint julep is the most popular mint/bourbon combination but I love the smash even more.

  6. This cocktail seems super flavorful and summery as well. The addition of the lemon adds a nice kick.

  7. Thanks for such a delicious cocktail recipe to make for this summer! What a beautiful way to use fresh lemon!

  8. This was such a great cocktail for this weekend. We used our mint from the garden and it was refreshing and delicious!

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