This delightfully refreshing cocktail is a cross between a mint julep and a whiskey sour so of course I love it! You know I’m such a bourbon gal. This drink is less minty than a julep and the fresh lemon juice really lights up the bourbon/whiskey by quite a bit. This is a fantastic cocktail to make all summer long!
I wrote this up for a single cocktail but of course, the recipe easily doubles/triples/quadruples. Plan on 2 mint sprigs per cocktail. You’ll pluck the leaves off of one sprig for the recipe and have a garnish sprig for serving. (Tip: pluck the bottom leaves off of the garnish sprig to use as part of your 10 leaves.)
I grow mint – something I really need to write an article about – and always have an abundance on hand. English mint gets all the glory but personally, I think my mojito mint tastes even better so that’s what I used. If you’ve never grown mojito mint before – give it a try! Mint could not be easier to grow and is delicious in so many dishes.
This would be a perfect cocktail for the Kentucky Derby. Want Derby Party ideas? Read this!
I finally opened “The Artist” 100 rye whiskey by Still Austin Whiskey Co. for this recipe and wow, this is good whiskey. It’s light and zesty with hints of orange and apricot. It is absolutely phenomenal in this cocktail! I wish I could capture this scent in a candle. If you’ve never tried Still Austin before, I highly recommend it. I’ve literally never tried anything from them that I wasn’t obsessed with.
Whiskey Smash
10 mint leaves
1 lemon wedge
3/4 oz simple syrup (see below)
2 oz bourbon or whiskey
Optional: mint sprig for garnish
- Place mint leaves in a cocktail shaker and squeeze lemon juice on top. Muddle mint leaves and lemon juice until mint has broken down, then add simple syrup, bourbon, and ice. Shake well, then strain into old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with an additional mint sprig.
How to make simple syrup: simply combine a 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar and water (example: 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar) in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until it’s completely clear. Cool completely before using. Simple syrup keeps in a jar in the fridge for weeks! I always have some on hand for cocktails.
For two cocktails: 4 mint sprigs, 2 lemon wedges, 1.5 oz simple syrup, 4 oz bourbon/whiskey
For four cocktails: 8 mint sprigs, 1 lemon, 3 oz simple syrup, 8 oz bourbon/whiskey
