Classics Series: Bourbon Smash

The Bourbon Smash is one of my all time favorite cocktails. With only 4 ingredients, this drink has a nice balance between sweetness and booziness. I recommend using a bourbon or whiskey that you enjoy sipping on since the alcohol flavor is fairly strong. With this drink, you can easily adjust the level of sweetness or use other fruits to change the flavor.

Classic Bourbon Smash Recipe (technically 2 servings)

• 4 oz. Woodford Reserve
• 1 oz. of 2:1 simple syrup (2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of boiling water, mix directly in a mason jar)
• Half of a lemon cut into small wedges
• 16-ish spearmint leaves
• Optional twists: Pineapple puree, watermelon puree, strawberry syrup
  

Equipment

• Stainless steel container
• Jigger
• Muddler
• Bar spoon
• Hawthorne strainer
• Fine mesh strainer (optional)
• Old fashioned glass, stored in the freezer
• Round ice mold, stored in the freezer (can also use 2×2 inch square ice)

Directions

1. In a stainless steel shaker container, use a muddler to mash the lemon wedges with the simple syrup
2. Add mint leaves and gently muddle with the lemon mixture
3. Add alcohol and enough ice so that the ice rises above the liquid
4. Use a bar spoon to stir the mixture until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty (1-2 minutes)
5. Take an old fashioned glass out of the freezer and place the large ice into the glass
6. Place a Hawthorne strainer on top of the shaker and pour the liquid on top of the ice (another option is to double-strain the drink through a fine mesh strainer placed above the glass)
7. To garnish, place a mint sprig in the palm of one hand and clap your hands together to smash the mint
8. Place the smashed mint between the glass and ice

Cheers!