It’s time to kick back and relax with this easy Whiskey Smash cocktail recipe. Muddled mint leaves and lemon infuse every sip with bright, refreshing flavor!
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Why You’ll Love This Whiskey Smash Recipe
- Four Simple Ingredients. A whiskey smash is a classic cocktail with just four ingredients: whiskey, mint, lemon, and simple syrup or sugar. (Plus ice, but I bet you already have that on hand!)
- Bar Equipment Optional. As you can see from the photos below, you don’t need any fancy equipment to make a whiskey smash—I used a jar to shake it up! While a jigger and cocktail shaker and strainer are nice, this is an excellent recipe if you don’t have a fully equipped bar.
- The Tastiest Whiskey Cocktail. If you aren’t a fan of whiskey, a whiskey smash is the perfect place to start. The brightness of the lemon and crispness of the mint make it more refreshing than boozy, so it’s dangerously easy to drink.
How to Make a Whiskey Smash
The Ingredients
- Fresh Mint Leaves. Mint teams up with the lemon to give this cocktail its signature refreshing and cool taste. Use extra to make a Strawberry Mojito!
- Lemon. Adds brightness and citrus flavor to the cocktail. It gives the whiskey smash punch! (For more lemony cocktails, try this Gold Rush Cocktail or St. Germain Cocktail.)
- Simple Syrup or Light Agave Nectar. A whiskey smash isn’t overly sweet by any means, but a little bit of sweetener adds balance.
- Bourbon Whiskey. I like to use Bulleit.
The Directions
- Release the Flavors. Muddle the mint leaves, lemon, and sweetener in a cocktail shaker or jar.
- Shake and Serve. Top with the whiskey and ice; cover and shake. Pour the cocktail into a glass, top with ice, and garnish with mint. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Irish Whiskey Smash. For a St. Patrick’s Day spin, use Irish whiskey instead of bourbon and replace the lemon with quarter of a lime.
- Pineapple Whiskey Smash. Muddle 2 cubes of pineapple with the lemon and mint. Garnish with additional pineapple cubes.
- Blackberry Whiskey Smash. Muddle 2-3 blackberries with the lemon and mint. Garnish with additional blackberries. (Blackberry fans, don’t miss this Skinny Blackberry Margarita.)
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Make Your Own Simple Syrup. Yes, you can buy it, but it’s so easy to make! Just combine equal parts water and sugar and heat it in a pan until the sugar dissolves. You can keep it in the refrigerator for a month.
- Strain Without a Strainer. If you have a mesh skimmer utensil—the kind you use to skim fat or foam off of something while it cooks—it makes a great stand-in for a cocktail strainer. Otherwise, you can just hold a fork over the edge of the jar to hold back the mint and lemon while you pour.
- Don’t Muddle Too Much. If you overdo it, it will make your whiskey smash bitter.
Whiskey Smash
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Ingredients
- 8 fresh mint leaves plus additional for garnish
- ½ lemon cut into 3-4 wedges
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup or light agave
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- Crushed ice or regular ice
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves, lemon, and simple syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or mason jar. With a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, mash 4–5 times, just enough to release juices and oils.
- Add the bourbon and top with a small handful of crushed ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to combine. Strain into an old fashioned or similar glass. Pile more crushed ice on top. Garnish with additional mint sprigs. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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nice drink, thank you, love the mint
Thanks, Sabrina!
What I love most about this Whiskey Smash is its simplicity. It only takes a few ingredients, but the taste is anything but simple! The mint and lemon really brighten up the whiskey. Definitely a new favorite.
So glad you enjoyed it, Shaira! Thank you!
My wife expressed an interest in this drink, even though she’s not always a fan of whiskey cocktails. Neither one of us liked it very much at first, because it was very sour and lemony at the top. But as we got to the middle of the drink, the mint started to kick in, and we agreed that it became a much more enjoyable drink at that point. We love this, thank you!
Thanks so much for the feedback, Gerald! Glad you enjoyed it!
The fresh mint and zesty lemon elevate the whiskey beautifully. I enjoyed it while relaxing at home, and it instantly brightened my mood. I can’t recommend it enough for a relaxing evening!
So glad you enjoyed it, Leslie! Thank you!