Bourbon Smash Recipe

Prepare glass

Chill an old fashioned or rocks glass in the freezer for several minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail. When ready, discard the ice water and keep the glass cold; you'll fill it with fresh crushed ice later.

Muddle aromatics

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, place the fresh mint leaves and the two lemon wedges. Add the simple syrup. Gently muddle (press and twist) 6–8 times — just enough to release the mint's aromatics and the lemon's juice and oils without shredding the mint into tiny bits.

Add spirits and citrus

Add the bourbon and the measured fresh lemon juice to the mixing glass with the muddled mint and syrup.

Chill the mix

Fill the shaker or mixing glass with the ice cubes. Cap the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds (or, if using a mixing glass, stir briskly for 15–20 seconds) to chill and slightly dilute the cocktail.

Prepare glass with crushed ice

Fill the chilled rocks glass about three-quarters full with crushed ice.

Strain and assemble

Double-strain the shaken cocktail over the crushed ice: first through the shaker's strainer into a fine-mesh strainer held over the glass, then discard any solids. This keeps big mint pieces and lemon pulp out while preserving flavor.

Top and settle

Gently press a few additional fresh mint leaves onto the surface of the ice (this releases aroma). Add a lemon wheel or wedge on the rim or floated on top.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a mint sprig tucked into the crushed ice so the leaves sit above the glass for aroma. Serve with a short straw so the sipper can get fresh mint aroma and bourbon with each sip.