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Whiskey Smash

Also known as Bourbon Smash, Whisky Smash

A bright, minty, citrus-heavy whiskey drink that's basically a julep's louder cousin.

mintycitrusyrefreshingbourbonsoursweetcrushed-icesummer

%

ABV

Difficulty

Whiskey Smash

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip hits you with sharp lemon and fresh mint, backed by the sweetness of the syrup. As it settles, the whiskey's caramel and oak push through the chill. It finishes crisp and refreshing, with the mint lingering on your breath.

Who will like it

For people who like sour and refreshing whiskey drinks but want something more aromatic than a standard Whiskey Sour.

When to drink

Drink this on a hot afternoon when you want something strong but ice-cold and thirst-quenching.

Ordering tip

Ask for it with crushed ice if the bar usually serves it on a big cube; the slushy texture is half the fun.

Ice: CrushedTemp: ColdCost: $2–$4Glass: Old FashionedHome bar friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This is a bright, punchy drink that leans heavily on fresh lemon and mint to cut through the bourbon. The sweetness is right up front, but the sourness keeps it from feeling thick or cloying. It drinks very fast because the crushed ice makes it slushy and cold. You mostly taste summer herbs and sour citrus, with the whiskey coming in as a warm backbone.

Finish: The finish is short and crisp, leaving a lingering minty freshness and a touch of oak from the whiskey.

Primary tastes

soursweetherbal

Secondary

fruityearthy

Aroma

Fresh mintLemon peelCaramel
  • Bitternesslow bitterness

    Only a faint bitter edge from the lemon peel and oak from the whiskey.

  • Sweetnessmoderately sweet

    The simple syrup balances the sharp lemon but leaves the drink noticeably sweet.

  • Sournessmoderately sour

    The muddled lemon gives it a bright, tart kick that matches the sweetness.

  • Strengthmoderately strong

    The whiskey stands up to the ice and citrus, keeping the drink boozy but approachable.

  • Refreshingvery refreshing

    Crushed ice and fresh mint make this one of the most cooling whiskey drinks you can have.

  • Creaminesslight body

    It has a light, juicy texture from the citrus and syrup, but no creaminess.

  • Complexitystraightforward

    It hits you with three clear notes—citrus, mint, and whiskey—without much hidden depth.

Recipe

Make it at home

Shaken · Old Fashioned · equal parts on Bourbon Whiskey. Rye works too if you want it drier and spicier

Before you start

Pull your mint leaves off the stems, cut your lemon into wedges, and get your crushed ice ready. Put your serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes if you have time.

Ingredients

  • Bourbon WhiskeyBase Spirit60ml
  • LemonJuiceHalf a lemon, cut into 3 wedges3 wedges
  • Simple SyrupSyrup1:1 ratio20ml
  • Mint LeavesGarnishFresh spearmint8-10 leaves
  • Crushed IceIce1 cup

Garnish: Mint bouquet, Lemon wheel

Tools

  • Muddler · Muddling

    Pressing the juice and oils out of the lemon wedges and mint

    At home: Wooden spoon handle

  • Shaker · Shaking

    Chilling and combining the ingredients

    At home: Mason jar with a tight lid

  • Hawthorne Strainer · Straining

    Catching the lemon pulp and ice while pouring the drink

    At home: Slotted spoon

  • Jigger · Measuring

    Measuring the whiskey and syrup

    At home: Measuring spoons or shot glass

  • Old Fashioned Glass · Serving

    Serving the drink

    At home: Any short, sturdy glass

  • Ice Crusher or Lewis Bag · optional · Ice

    Making crushed ice for the serve

    At home: Wrap ice in a towel and smash with a rolling pin

Ingredients and tools to make Whiskey Smash
Ingredients and tools

Steps

  1. 1

    Drop 3 lemon wedges and 8 to 10 mint leaves into the bottom of your shaker. Add the 20ml of simple syrup on top. The syrup acts as an abrasive to help break down the mint and lemon.

    Step 1 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Shredding the mint into tiny pieces by pressing too hard, which makes the drink taste grassy instead of minty.

  2. 2

    Press down firmly and twist with your muddler to squeeze the juice out of the lemon and release the mint oils. Give it about 4 or 5 good presses. You should smell fresh mint and sharp citrus, and the lemon should be completely juiced.

    Step 2 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Spinning the muddler like a pestle, which bruises the mint stems and releases bitter chlorophyll instead of just the oils.

  3. 3

    Pour in the 60ml of bourbon whiskey. Fill the shaker about halfway with ice cubes—just enough to chill the drink when you shake it. Seal the shaker tight.

    Step 3 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Adding crushed ice to the shaker, which will melt too fast and water down your drink before it gets cold.

  4. 4

    Shake hard for about 10 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels ice-cold and frosty. The citrus and syrup need a good shake to properly mix with the whiskey. You'll hear the ice slamming against the sides.

    ~10s

    Step 4 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Shaking too gently, which leaves the drink lukewarm and doesn't properly integrate the syrup.

  5. 5

    Pack your chilled Old Fashioned glass full of crushed ice. Double strain the shaker into the glass using your Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch the small mint bits and lemon seeds. The liquid should come up to the top of the ice.

    Step 5 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Leaving seeds or shredded mint in the drink, which gets stuck in your teeth and looks messy.

  6. 6

    Top the glass off with a little more crushed ice to form a dome right above the rim. Slap a mint bouquet between your palms to wake up the oils and stick it into the ice, then add a lemon wheel. Serve it with a straw.

    Step 6 — how to make Whiskey Smash

    !Forgetting to slap the mint first, so you don't get that big hit of mint aroma when you take a sip.

Serve

Serve it immediately while the crushed ice is still solid. The drink is meant to be sipped fast before the ice melts completely.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Bourbon Whiskey

  • Bourbon WhiskeyRye Whiskey
    Match
    Common availability

    Bourbon Whiskey → Rye Whiskey: Makes the drink drier and spicier, cutting through the sweetness more aggressively.

  • Bourbon WhiskeyBlended Scotch Whisky
    Match
    Common availability

    Bourbon Whiskey → Blended Scotch Whisky: Adds a smoky, malty flavor that fights with the fresh mint.

Swap options for Simple Syrup

  • Simple SyrupSugar Cube
    Match
    Common availability

    Simple Syrup → Sugar Cube: Gives a slightly grittier texture if not muddled well, but tastes essentially the same.

  • Simple SyrupHoney Syrup
    Match
    Common availability

    Simple Syrup → Honey Syrup: Adds a floral, earthy sweetness that pairs well with the mint but changes the classic flavor.

Related

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Mint Julep

Similar cocktail

Mint Julep

The Julep has no lemon, making it sweeter and more focused purely on the whiskey-mint interaction.

Match

The Smash is brighter and more tart because of the lemon, while the Julep is sweeter and more spirit-forward.

In common: Bourbon base, Mint forward, Crushed ice serve

Ingredients

Both share

Bourbon Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves

Only in Whiskey Smash

Lemon

The Whiskey Smash adds muddled lemon, turning the sweet Julep into a sour-style drink.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Refreshing crushed ice texture, Bright mint aroma, Sweet bourbon backbone

How Mint Julep differs

Sharper, More tart, Less purely sweet

View recipe & details →

Whiskey Sour

Similar cocktail

Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour uses pure lemon juice and lacks the muddled mint and crushed ice of the Smash.

Match

The Smash is more aromatic and rustic due to the mint and crushed ice, whereas the Sour is cleaner and more refined.

In common: Whiskey sour structure, Shaken, Citrus forward

Ingredients

Both share

Bourbon Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Lemon

Only in Whiskey Smash

Mint Leaves

The Smash uses muddled lemon wedges instead of juice and adds fresh mint, changing the texture and aroma.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Sweet and sour whiskey base, Citrus brightness

How Whiskey Sour differs

More herbal, Colder texture, Rustic mouthfeel

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The Smash dates back to Jerry Thomas's 1862 bartending guide, where he included recipes for Brandy and Gin smashes using mint, sugar, and water. The Whiskey Smash is a direct descendant of those early recipes, swapping in whiskey and adding fresh lemon for a brighter, more sour profile.

Creator
Jerry Thomas
Era
1860s
Confidence

The exact proportions of lemon to syrup vary widely; some use a whole lemon, others just an ounce of juice. The muddled wedge method is the most traditional 'smash' style.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

  • Slap the mint garnish between your hands before placing it to release the oils.
  • Use crushed ice for the proper slushy texture, not big cubes.
  • Muddle gently to release mint oils without shredding the leaves into bitter bits.

Avoid

Common mistakes

  • Don't let the drink sit too long or the crushed ice will water it down.
  • Avoid over-muddling the mint or it will taste like grass.