Bourbon Smash
This bourbon smash is a refreshing whiskey cocktail with bright lemon and fresh mint. It’s balanced and tangy, and ideal for bourbon lovers looking for a lighter, herbaceous drink!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/4 lemon, sliced into 2 wedges
- 5 large mint leaves
- 1 ounce maple syrup or simple syrup
- Soda water, for serving
- Crushed ice, for serving
Instructions
- Place the lemon wedges and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Muddle 4 to 5 times to extract flavor. (Here’s more on How to Muddle Mint.)
- Add the bourbon and maple syrup and fill the shaker with ice. If desired, add a splash of soda water. Shake until cold and strain into a glass. Serve with crushed ice.
Notes
- On maple syrup: Pure maple syrup works as a natural sweetener and doesn’t add a maple flavor: just nuanced flavor notes! You can substitute simple syrup if you prefer.
- On muddling: Press gently but firmly 4-5 times. Shredding the mint can release bitter compounds. See my guide on how to muddle mint for more tips.
- On crushed ice: Traditional smash cocktails use crushed ice. Learn how to crush ice at home, or use regular ice cubes if that’s what you have.
- Make it a whiskey smash: Use rye whiskey instead of bourbon for a spicier version.
- Bourbon selection: Mid-range bourbon like Four Roses, Maker’s Mark, or Buffalo Trace work well.
Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/maple-bourbon-smash/
