Whiskey Smash
The whiskey smash is a simple cocktail that is tailor-made for warm summer nights. What makes the smash such a great summer drink is how the combination of ice-cold lemon and mint chill out the whiskey.
Smashes get their names from the way the ice smashes up the mint in the cocktail shaker. They also are one of those great classic cocktails that deserves a comeback.
In case you’re curious smashes used to be a big deal, according to cocktail historian David Wondrich, “From its first appearance in the mid-1840s, until after the Civil War, the Smash was just about the most popular thing going.” And if it’s up to us it will be again.
A couple of tips for when you’re making a smash cocktail is to use a simple syrup with one part water to one part superfine sugar.
We also recommend against muddling the lemon, it makes the drink really cloudy, and the ice does a nice job of smashing up the lemon and mint on its own.
For more summer drinks check out 7 Cocktails Perfect for Summer.
Whiskey Smash
Instructions
- Start by slicing a lemon crosswise and cutting the circle in half. Add a lemon slice, one sprig of mint, simple syrup, and whiskey into a cocktail shaker.2 oz whiskey, 1 oz simple syrup, 2 lemon slices, 2 sprigs mint
- Drop in a big handful of ice and shake baby, shake that shaker for a good twenty seconds or so, take a deep breath and relax, you’ve finished the hard part.
- Fill an old fashioned glass with ice, strain the drink into the glass, garnish with the other lemon slice and mint. Sit back and enjoy.
Recommended Equipment
Mark is an experienced food writer, recipe developer, and photographer who is also Umami’s publisher and CEO. A passionate cook who loves to cook for friends, he can often be found in the kitchen or by the grill testing new recipes.
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