The Bourbon Smash is a bright, citrusy, and deliciously refreshing cocktail. Muddled mint and lemon keep it crisp and cooling, while a generous pour of bourbon and a kiss of simple syrup add a smooth, sweet, caramel depth that bourbon lovers know and love. A splash of soda water ties it all together for the perfect warm-weather sipper.
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Why You'll Love This Smash
Before I ever picked up a camera or wrote my first recipe, I was behind the bar mixing cocktails and learning exactly what it takes to balance bold spirits with bright, fresh flavors. Twenty years later, I'm still stirring, shaking, and entertaining—only now the cocktail recipes I create are for at-home hosts and hostesses who want both ease and big flavor payoff.
Here at The Anthony Kitchen, I've fine-tuned and tested dozens of cocktail recipes readers have made and loved, and this Whisky Smash is no exception. It's a summer-ready cocktail that's bound to become a staple on your entertaining rotation.
A Bourbon Lover's Dream Cocktail | This cocktail is bright and citrusy without masking the flavor of the bourbon. There's no better way to enjoy bourbon than when the weather's hot!
Quick + Easy Prep | Even though this cocktail comes together with fresh ingredients, it's so simple to make. All it takes is a smash, shake, and a pour.
Versatile | There are so many delicious variations of this drink. You can play with different kinds of citrus, different simple syrup flavors, and even types of fruits, like its sister recipes, Peach Bourbon Smash and Blackberry Bourbon Smash.
Ingredients (+ Easy Substitutions)
Bourbon | Choose a bourbon that fits the flavor profile you're going for: dry, sweet, or a supreme balance of the two. We talk more about that later.
Lemon | A Bourbon Smash isn't truly complete without this classic ingredient. The acidity from the lemon cuts through the booziness of the bourbon while also elevating it. If you're in a pinch without a lemon, reach for a lime or even an orange for an extra boost of flavor.
Mint | You don't want to skip this herb when making your cocktail. With its natural cooling effect, it brings the refreshing component to your Whisky Smash Cocktail. Muddling releases its natural essential oils, bringing this cocktail to life.
Simple Syrup | Simple syrup combines equal parts sugar and water, adding a subtle sweetness to this cocktail. There are many variations of simple syrup out there, so if you're feeling adventurous, reach for our brown sugar simple syrup, mint simple syrup, honey simply syrup, or even ginger simple syrup.
Ice | This ingredient is essential when it comes time to shake your cocktail ingredients and for the pour over in your glass.
Club Soda | This traditional cocktail is topped off with something bubbly, like sparkling water or club soda. Go with club soda or your favorite sparkling water for a bourbon smash on the drier side. For a sweeter rendition, consider ginger beer, champagne, or Prosecco for a fun twist.
How to Make a Bourbon Smash
Muddle | Reach for a shaker or sturdy glass, then gently muddle the lemon wedges, mint, and simple syrup.
Add Bourbon + Ice | Add the bourbon of your choice and ice to your glass of muddled ingredients.
Shake + Strain | Tightly secure your shaker lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain your mixture into a rocks glass over ice.
Top + Garnish | Top your Bourbon Smash with club soda or sparkling water and garnish with mint and a sliced lemon or fruit wedge.
Serve, and enjoy!
For another fun summer-weather sipper, check out our Spiked Arnold Palmer!
Big-Batch Cocktail Recipe for Parties
You can make the base of your Bourbon Smash for a crowd up to one day in advance by muddling and straining the lemon and mint, then stirring in the bourbon. If we know we will be hosting a crowd, we prepare our cocktail bases ahead of time for ease and efficiency on the day of the gathering. From white wine sangria to margaritas, it's pretty simple to whip up a large batch ahead of time.
Here's what you'll need for Bourbon Smash's to serve 8:
- 4 lemons, cut into wedges
- 1 cup mint leaves
- ¾ cup simple syrup
- 2 cups bourbon
- 1 cup club soda, sparkling water, or ginger beer
In a large measuring bowl or pitcher, muddle together the lemon wedges and mint. Then, stir in the simple syrup and bourbon.
Strain the mixture slowly and carefully through a fine mesh sieve into your pitcher. Note: If your pitcher has a narrow opening, it is a good idea to strain the contents into another bowl and then into a pitcher. Add the sparkling water, stir, and serve over ice.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Smash
Choose Your Bourbon Wisely | If you like your cocktails on the drier side, reach for Bulleit, Elijah Craig, or Basil Hayden. These won't add too much sweetness to your drink. If you want to go the sweeter route, I recommend Four Rose or Maker's Mark. For the best middle-ground bourbon that will give you a super balanced cocktail — go with Buffalo Trace. It's neither too dry nor too sweet.
Muddle Like This | If you've never muddled before (or even heard of it), don't sweat it. This is just a fancy term used mostly in the mixology world. "To muddle" means to (gently) press and smash ingredients together in a muddler to release those beautiful citrus and mint oils and juices that bring this cocktail to life. If you don't have a muddler, no worries! The handle-end of a wooden spoon is a great alternative.
Customizing Sweetness | If you prefer your cocktail on the sweeter side, simply add more simple syrup, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Start with a half ounce more and see if that is more to your liking. Remember, you can always add more, but it is difficult to remove once added. You can also add more sweetness to your cocktail by using ginger beer or even a sparkling wine to top it off.
Bourbon Smash FAQs
Both have the same core elements: mint, sugar (or simple syrup), and bourbon, but a smash takes it one step further, muddling in lemon and even fruit.
It depends on what cocktail flavor profile you're going for. Bourbons with stronger notes of vanilla and caramel (like Bulleit and Maker's Mark) work particularly well with this cocktail. We also like Elijah Craig or Basil Hayden for the drier side. For a sweeter side, lean on Four Rose (or Maker's Mark). For the balance of both, reach for Buffalo Trace. Something else to consider is pricing--you don't want to break the bank on a spirit if you aren't drinking it neat, so opt for a mid-range price point.
Yes, you can simply muddle the ingredients in a sturdy Collins glass, add the remaining ingredients, and then add fresh ice, stirring well. This reads a little more like a sangria this way, but still tastes delicious and works well in a pinch.
Yes, you can make this cocktail base up to one day in advance. Do not add club soda ahead of time.
Serving Ideas
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lemon wedge or wheel for an extra special touch. If muddling in extra fruity flavors like blackberry or peach, garnish with that so your guests can see what they're getting.
Serve at summer BBQs, Derby parties, and casual porch hang with friends. We love this smooth sipper with Southern Derby favorites like cucumber sandwiches, bacon-wrapped shrimp, or homemade pimento cheese.
It also goes well with BBQ style dishes like pork spare ribs, fried corn, and all the BBQ side dish fixings! No one would be mad about pecan pie bars and peach cobbler for dessert.
5 Refreshing Cocktails You’ll Love
Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- 3 lemon wedges or juice of ½ a lemon
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Cubed ice
- Generous splash club soda, sparkling water, or ginger beer
Instructions
- In a shaker or sturdy glass, gently muddle the lemon wedges, mint, and simple syrup.
- Add bourbon and fill with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.
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