Strawberry Smash Recipe

Strawberry Smash

1. 1

   Prepare strawberries

   Hull 4 fresh strawberries and reserve one additional strawberry halved for garnish. If you don't have pre-made purée, place the 4 hulled strawberries in a blender with 1/2 oz simple syrup and blitz to a smooth purée, then strain through a fine mesh if you prefer a very smooth texture. Measure 1 oz purée for the recipe.

2. 2

   Muddle mint and strawberries

   In a mixing glass or shaker, add the hulled strawberries (or 1 oz of your purée if already strained) and 6 mint leaves (reserve 2 leaves for garnish). Add 0.5 oz simple syrup and gently muddle 6-8 times. Press just enough to release juices and oils from the mint without shredding it (over-muddling makes the mint bitter).

3. 3

   Add spirits and citrus

   Add 2 oz Maker's Mark Bourbon and 0.75 oz fresh lime juice to the muddled mixture. If you used whole strawberries for muddling, add the measured 1 oz strawberry purée now (if you already blended and used purée above, no additional purée is needed).

4. 4

   Shake and chill

   Add ice to the shaker (enough to fill it about two-thirds) and shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds to chill and dilute slightly. If using a mixing glass, stir briefly with ice until well chilled, then double-strain into the serving glass to remove solids.

5. 5

   Assemble the glass

   Fill a rocks glass or short Collins with crushed ice. Fine-strain or double-strain the cocktail over the crushed ice to capture mint bits and seeds. Top gently so the drink settles into the ice.

6. 6

   Garnish

   Garnish with the halved strawberry on the rim, a lime wheel, and a sprig of mint. Clap the reserved mint sprig between your palms once to lift the aroma before tucking it into the glass.

7. 7

   Serve

   Serve immediately with a short straw. Encourage the guest to lightly stir so the flavors meld with the crushed ice as they sip.