Refreshing and citrusy, the whiskey smash is a combination of the whiskey sour and the mint julep cocktails. This popular drink has been around since at least the 19th century, and it is enjoyable by itself or as an introduction to whiskeys by those who don’t quite have the taste for drinking this liquor straight.
Our article gives you more details on the whiskey smash, including how to make this drink, the expected flavor profiles of a whiskey smash, and some popular variations of the whiskey smash cocktail.
What Exactly Is Whiskey Smash? An Overview
The whiskey smash is a classic cocktail that dates back to the 19th century, when twists on whiskey drinks were fairly popular. The whiskey smash consists of bourbon, lemon juice, mint, and simple syrup, and the ‘smash’ part of the name refers to the muddling of ingredients to release their flavors.
The whiskey smash is often thought of as a combination of the mint julep and the whiskey sour, and it has the refreshing mint and sour citrus flavors of both of these drinks combined with the rich and boozy taste of bourbon. A little bit of simple syrup adds sweetness to the drink and makes it pleasant for both whiskey enthusiasts and non-whiskey drinkers alike.
The whiskey smash will appear golden or bronze in color, and it is considered a timeless, classic cocktail. It is a popular addition at cocktail bars and restaurants, and a few different variations of the citrus included in the drink or the type of bourbon used to add variety to this cocktail.
What Does a Whiskey Smash Taste Like?
A whiskey smash will taste cool and refreshing; the citrusy taste of lemon adds sourness to the drink, and mint brings a brisk bite that complements both the flavors of the lemon and the bourbon. The drink will have some simple syrup, which adds an underlying sweetness to the cocktail, and the strength of the bourbon’s flavor profile will depend on the brand of bourbon used.
Common variations on the whiskey smash include the use of infused simple syrups, such as simple syrups made with honey or infused with tea, and the addition of fruits alongside lemon juice, such as berries.
What Is the Alcohol Content of a Whiskey Smash?
The alcoholic content of the whiskey smash is around 20 to 25 percent ABV, depending on the type of bourbon used. You can increase the amount of alcohol and strength in your whiskey smash by doubling the amount of bourbon called for in your chosen recipe.
What Is the History of a Whiskey Smash?
While the exact history of the whiskey smash is hard to track down, this cocktail first appeared in the 1887 edition of The Bartender’s Guide, written by Jerry Thomas. However, iterations of the whiskey smash likely existed before then, as both the whiskey sour and mint julep were popular as far back as the 1700s, and the whiskey smash is a combination of these two cocktails.
The whiskey smash moved in and out of popularity over the years, experiencing a resurgence of popularity in the 1980s and 1990s when bartender Dale DeGroff started crafting this drink at the Rainbow Room in New York. The simple whiskey smash took the cocktail world by storm, and while it dwindled in popularity a little bit in the early 2000s, it has since experienced another resurgence.
Today, the whiskey smash is found on many cocktail lists, and there are plenty of variations on the classic flavors of this drink. Many people view the whiskey smash as a summer drink, as it is served over ice and features the sweet and refreshing flavors of mint and lemon alongside the flavorful bourbon.
How to Make a Whiskey Smash
The whiskey smash is a relatively easy cocktail to make, and this recipe features a few simple ingredients that the majority of bars have. To make a whiskey smash, you can follow our recipe:
Gather your ingredients:
- Three lemon wedges
- Four mint leaves
- 2 ounces of bourbon (bourbon is traditional, but rye whiskey could also be used depending on your preference)
- 0.75 an ounce of simple syrup
Collect a cocktail shaker and place your lemon and mint inside. Muddle them, making sure to muddle both the fruit of the lemon and the rind to release more of the flavor. Add your bourbon and simple syrup, and then add ice.
Shake your cocktail for at least 20 seconds or until well-combined and chilled, and then strain the drink into a rocks glass or a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint spring and a lemon twist as desired.
How to Serve a Whiskey Smash
A whiskey smash is easily served, and you will need a cocktail shaker to make it and either a rocks glass or a tall glass to serve it in. Your whiskey smash should be served over ice, as the chilled nature of this drink makes it a great choice for a refreshing beverage. You could potentially use a cocktail couple glass for the whiskey smash and forgo the ice, but make sure to chill your coupe glass ahead of time to ensure your whiskey smash stays cold for as long as possible.
Your whiskey smash can be enjoyed alongside appetizers or as an after-dinner drink, and we recommend pairing this cocktail with foods such as grilled steak, BBQ chicken wings, fresh salads, chilled fruit, and donuts or coffee cake. These combinations truly bring out the unique flavors of both your whiskey smash cocktail and your food.
When to Drink a Whiskey Smash
The whiskey smash is a versatile cocktail that can be enjoyed year-round, though there is nothing more soothing and refreshing than sipping on one during a summer evening. The whiskey smash has made somewhat of a name for itself as a summer-time cocktail, mostly due to the cooling nature of mint and the fruity or citrusy flavors this drink often has.
What Are Some Whiskey Smash Variations?
The whiskey smash is a fairly straightforward cocktail, though variations do exist in the kinds of bourbon used, the type of simple syrup, and the fruit additions mixed in to complement the citrusy sour of the lemon in this drink.
A popular variation of the whiskey smash is to use honey simple syrup instead of a white granulated sugar-based syrup. This gives the drink a richer flavor, and honey better complements some types of bourbon.
Additionally, you can add berries or other kinds of fruit at the start of the recipe, muddling them alongside the lemons and mint to bring a variety of flavors to this drink. When choosing fruit, pick something that will complement the taste of your bourbon and adjust how much simple syrup you add accordingly, as some fruits can be quite sweet.
Finally, the type of bourbon you choose can create a wide variety in the flavor profile of your whiskey smash. Some bourbons bring more of a sweet note to this drink, and you can use rye whiskey as an alternative, but you should note that rye whiskey will bring a spicier flavor to your drink and it might not match the refreshing flavor profile you are trying to craft with the whiskey smash.
The Wonderful Whiskey Smash
The whiskey smash is one of those cocktails that can stand up to the test of time, and this drink is often seen on menus at the highest-end cocktail bars or your local restaurants. Whiskey smashes are best enjoyed over ice, and you can sip on this cocktail before, during, or after dinner.
We recommend enjoying the whiskey smash outdoors during the summer to truly appreciate the cooling and refreshing flavors this unique cocktail has to offer.
