Last Updated: October 8, 2026
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Bourbon Smash Recipe
For one bourbon smash, shake 2 ounces of bourbon with 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, and 6 to 8 mint leaves, then strain it over a full glass of crushed ice and garnish with mint and lemon.
Exact Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice, about 1/2 medium lemon
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, plus one mint sprig for garnish
- Crushed ice, enough to fill a 10- to 12-ounce rocks glass
- Optional: 1 thin lemon wheel or lemon peel
This ratio produces a balanced drink: the bourbon remains noticeable, lemon supplies acidity, mint adds freshness, and simple syrup rounds off the edges without making the cocktail taste like candy.
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View on AmazonWhat to Use for the Best Result
| Ingredient or tool | Recommended specification | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 2 ounces; 80 to 100 proof | 80 proof is softer; 100 proof gives a more pronounced whiskey flavor. |
| Lemon | Freshly squeezed; 3/4 ounce | Bottled juice can taste flatter and sharper. |
| Simple syrup | 1:1 sugar-to-water syrup; 1/2 ounce | Dissolves quickly and gives predictable sweetness. |
| Mint | 6 to 8 unbruised leaves | Adds aroma without overwhelming the bourbon. |
| Glass | 10- to 12-ounce rocks glass | Leaves room for crushed ice and a garnish. |
| Ice | Approximately 6 to 8 ounces crushed ice | Provides rapid chilling and gradual dilution. |
How to Make a Bourbon Smash
1. Prepare the glass and ice
Fill a rocks glass completely with crushed ice. A full glass chills more efficiently than a half-filled glass, and the small ice pieces create the familiar frosty, refreshing texture. If you do not have crushed ice, place larger cubes in a clean kitchen towel and tap them with a sturdy rolling pin or mallet. Avoid pounding glass directly against hard surfaces.
2. Gently muddle the mint
Put the mint leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Press the mint gently 2 or 3 times with a muddler, just until it becomes fragrant. The goal is to release the mint oils, not shred the leaves. Over-muddling can extract bitter, grassy flavors and leave small fragments throughout the drink.
3. Add the liquid ingredients
Pour in the bourbon and fresh lemon juice. Add regular ice to the shaker until it is about two-thirds full. The ice should be hard and cold; melting ice from a nearly empty freezer will dilute the drink too quickly.
4. Shake firmly
Seal the shaker and shake for 10 to 12 seconds. A strong shake cools the bourbon and lemon while adding a small amount of water, which helps the flavors blend. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold.
5. Strain over crushed ice
Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Use a fine-mesh strainer as well as the shaker strainer if you prefer a clean drink with fewer mint particles. For a more rustic smash, use only the shaker strainer and allow a little mint pulp through.
6. Garnish and serve
Slap one mint sprig lightly against the back of your hand to release its aroma, then place it beside the rim. Add a lemon wheel or a wide strip of lemon peel if desired. Serve immediately with a short straw or cocktail pick so the mint aroma reaches the nose as you drink.
Adjust the Bourbon Smash to Your Taste
| If you want… | Change the recipe to… | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Less sweetness | 1/4 ounce simple syrup | Brighter, sharper, more whiskey-forward |
| More sweetness | 3/4 ounce simple syrup | Softer and rounder, with less lemon bite |
| More citrus | 1 ounce lemon juice and 1/2 ounce syrup | More tart and refreshing |
| A lighter drink | 1 1/2 ounces bourbon and a full glass of ice | Lower alcohol intensity while keeping the same style |
| A stronger drink | 2 1/2 ounces bourbon; keep lemon at 3/4 ounce | More spirit-forward and less diluted |
| A longer drink | Add 1 to 2 ounces chilled soda water after straining | More volume and a lighter, sparkling finish |
When changing the bourbon amount, keep the drink balanced by adjusting gradually. Adding 1/2 ounce of bourbon without adding ice or dilution will make the cocktail noticeably hotter. If the finished drink tastes too strong, add more crushed ice and stir for 5 seconds rather than adding a large amount of water at once.
Simple Syrup and Make-Ahead Options
To make 1:1 simple syrup, combine equal volumes of granulated sugar and water, such as 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water. Warm or stir until the sugar dissolves, then cool completely. Store it in a clean, sealed container in the refrigerator and use it within about 2 weeks, discarding it sooner if it develops an off smell, cloudiness, or visible growth.
For a small gathering, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher immediately before serving. Use these quantities for four drinks:
- 8 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces lemon juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- 24 to 32 mint leaves, muddled separately or added as a garnish
Do not add crushed ice to the pitcher in advance. It will melt unevenly and make the first servings weaker than the last. Instead, chill the mixture in the refrigerator, shake each portion with ice, and pour over fresh crushed ice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using bottled lemon juice: Its flavor can overpower the bourbon with a harsh, preserved acidity.
- Grinding the mint: Hard muddling releases bitter plant flavors. Press gently instead.
- Underfilling the glass: Too little ice leaves the drink warm and causes faster, less controlled melting.
- Skipping the shake: Simply stirring may not chill the lemon and bourbon sufficiently or distribute the syrup evenly.
- Over-garnishing: A large quantity of bruised mint can dominate the aroma. One sprig is usually enough.
- Letting the drink sit too long: Crushed ice melts faster than large cubes, so serve the smash as soon as it is prepared.
Garnish Options
Mint and lemon are the classic combination, but several small changes work well. Add a thin lemon wheel for a more traditional appearance, use a lemon peel for a stronger citrus aroma, or add a few fresh berries for a seasonal variation. A small rosemary sprig creates a woodsy aroma, though it can compete with the mint, so use one herb rather than both.
For a less sweet variation, replace part of the simple syrup with 1/4 ounce maple syrup. Maple syrup gives the drink a deeper flavor, but it is more assertive than plain syrup; start with a small amount and taste before adding more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a bourbon smash without a cocktail shaker?
Yes. Add the mint and syrup to a sturdy glass, press the mint gently, then add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Stir firmly for about 20 seconds and strain into a fresh ice-filled glass. The drink will still work, although shaking usually chills and blends it more thoroughly.
Should a bourbon smash be served with crushed or cubed ice?
Crushed ice is the better choice because it chills the cocktail quickly and provides gradual dilution as it melts. Large cubes are acceptable when crushed ice is unavailable, but the drink will feel less slushy and may need an extra 5 to 10 seconds of stirring.
What bourbon proof is best?
An 80-proof bourbon is an easy starting point for a smooth, balanced smash. A 90- to 100-proof bourbon creates a stronger whiskey presence. If using a higher-proof bourbon, keep the drink fully iced and consider adding 1/4 ounce more lemon juice or soda water.
Can I use bottled simple syrup?
Yes, provided it is fresh and refrigerated according to its label. Measure it rather than pouring by eye, since sweetness varies between products. A 1:1 syrup is the most predictable substitute for the recipe above.
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