A Whiskey Smash is a refreshing minty bourbon cocktail that muddies fresh mint with sugar and soda water, creating a lighter, daytime-friendly drink that sits between a Julep and a Sour.
Recipe Source
Visit Mr. Boston DrinksFrom Mr. Boston Drinks · by Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide
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Muddle sugar with soda water and mint in old-fashioned glass.
whiskey and then ice cubes.
Garnish with orange and cherry,
and add lemon twist.
cocktail shaker or mixing glass · muddler · bar spoon
Both use mint and bourbon, but a Smash is built on crushed ice in a shorter glass and includes soda water and citrus, while a Julep is traditionally served in a silver cup over shaved ice with a longer spirit-to-mixer ratio.
Gently muddle 3–4 mint sprigs to release oils without shredding the leaves. Over-muddling bruises the mint and makes it bitter.
Yes—muddling a lemon wheel or wheel slice alongside the mint adds a citrusy note and brings the drink closer to a minty Whiskey Sour, a common bar variation.
A standard 80–100 proof bourbon is ideal. Avoid high-proof whiskeys (they'll overpower the mint) or flavored bourbons (they'll clash with the fresh mint).
Swap the sugar cube for 0.5 oz simple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener, then proceed with muddling and the remaining ingredients.
