Restaurants›The Merchant Tavern›Maple Bourbon Smash Recipe

Maple Bourbon Smash Recipe

Name: The Merchant Taverns Maple Bourbon Smash Recipe
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon whiskey; 0.5 oz sweetened maple syrup (or pure maple syrup + small simple syrup); 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice; 2 dashes angostura bitters; 6 leaves fresh mint leaves; 1 wedge fresh lemon wedge (for garnish and light muddle); 1 slice lemon wheel (garnish); 1 cup crushed ice (or pebble ice); 1 piece large ice cube (optional)

Inspired by The Merchant Tavern

Time8m

Serves1

Make Maple Bourbon Smash Recipe in just 8m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Cocktail Base

2 oz bourbon whiskey1/2 oz sweetened maple syrup (or pure maple syrup + small simple syrup)3/4 oz fresh lemon juice2 dashes angostura bitters

Fruit & Herb

6 leaves fresh mint leaves1 wedge fresh lemon wedge (for garnish and light muddle)1 slice lemon wheel (garnish)

Ice & Finish

1 cup crushed ice (or pebble ice)1 piece large ice cube (optional)

Method

Prepare Glass & Muddle

Chill glass (optional)

If desired, place a rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to chill it, then discard the ice water before serving.

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add the fresh mint leaves and the lemon wedge. Add the maple syrup. Gently muddle the mint and lemon just enough to release the mint's aroma and a little lemon juice — about 6–8 light presses. Avoid bruising the mint excessively to prevent bitterness.

Build & Shake

Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice and angostura bitters to the mixing glass with the muddled mint and maple syrup.

Fill the shaker or mixing glass with ice (enough to fill about two-thirds). Secure the shaker tin or place a bar spoon in the mixing glass and cap with a shaker tin. Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain & Serve

Discard any ice from the chilled rocks glass if you pre-chilled it. Fill the glass with crushed ice (about 1 cup). Double-strain the shaken cocktail over the crushed ice using a Hawthorne strainer plus a fine mesh strainer (or just a fine strain) to remove mint bits and lemon pulp.

If using, top with a large ice cube on top of the crushed ice for a pleasing presentation and slower dilution.

Garnish by slapping a few mint leaves between your palms to release oils and place them on top of the drink along with a lemon wheel. Optionally, add 1–2 more drops of angostura bitters on the top for aroma.

Serve with a short straw or pick to stir. Enjoy immediately.