Easy Modern Bar Menu Recipe

Prepare and measure

Chill a highball glass in the freezer or fill it with ice briefly to cool. Measure 2 oz gin, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 0.5 tablespoon agave nectar.

Shake

Add gin, lime juice, grapefruit juice, agave nectar and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain and top

Discard the chilling ice from the glass, add fresh cubed ice to about 3/4 full. Double-strain the shaken mix into the glass over ice to remove any pulp. Top with 3 oz club soda and gently stir once or twice to combine.

Garnish and serve

Twist a grapefruit peel over the drink to express oils, run it around the rim and drop it in (or add a wheel). Serve with a short straw.

Salt the rim (optional)

If using a salted rim, rub a lime wedge around the glass rim and dip into coarse salt to coat lightly. Shake off excess.

Mix

Fill the glass with cubed ice. In a shaker or mixing glass combine 1.75 oz mezcal, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 1.25 oz fresh grapefruit juice and 0.25 tablespoon agave nectar. Stir or briefly shake to combine and chill (6–8 seconds).

Top and finish

Strain into the ice-filled glass. Top with 2 oz soda water or grapefruit soda and stir gently to integrate. Garnish with a lime wheel or a grapefruit wedge.

Muddle herbs

In a mixing pitcher, add 12 mint leaves and 8 basil leaves with 1.5 oz simple syrup. Gently muddle the herbs 8–10 times—press enough to release aroma but not shred to bits.

Add bourbon and citrus

Add 10 oz bourbon and 2 oz fresh lemon juice to the pitcher. Stir vigorously for 15–20 seconds to marry flavors and chill slightly.

Serve

Fill four lowball glasses with crushed ice. Divide the bourbon mixture evenly between the glasses (about 3.5–3.75 oz each). Top each with about 1 oz club soda if desired. Garnish with a small mint sprig and a basil leaf. Add a lemon wedge on the rim.

Angostura bitters: add 1–2 dashes to the Bourbon Smash (per 1 serving) if you like extra complexity. Orange twist: express over any drink requiring orange oils (especially bourbon). Coarse salt or sugar: use for rimming glasses where indicated. Extra citrus: keep juiced and ready; fresh juice makes all drinks brighter.