Whiskey , mint, and a whole load of sweet and sour flavour. This is the Whiskey Smash.
It is not often I come across Whiskey recipes I like due to it not being my favourite spirit, but every once in a while, a few drinks here or there will change my mind. This one in particular really made me look at differently at how Whiskey can pair well with other flavours, especially with strong sweet and sour ingredients. In a way it does not surprise me as I was a big fan of the Whiskey Sour I made a while back ( if you have not checked out that article and love Whiskey I strongly recommend it), but the Whiskey Smash brought something a little extra.
There is a perfect balance of sweet and sour in this drink from the lemons and sugar which help tone down the sharp alcohol taste of the Whiskey but leave enough for you to appreciate its unique flavours and ingredients. Along with this the crushed ice helps dilute the drink a bit so the sweet and sour flavours like the Whiskey are not too intense. The mint leaves also play a huge role in making this drink so appealing. They add a refreshing taste and aroma to it that reminds me of the Mint Julep but with everything else this drink has going on is a little more satisfying .
The cool thing about this drink is it is very loose in its ingredients. The only spirit involved is Whiskey and no brand in particular so you can go with your favourite or experiment with something new you have bought. As well you can choose different types such as a Bourbon , Irish or regular Whiskey. I feel this would be a perfect kind of drink to introduce someone to Whiskey or if like me you were not convinced before change your mind. Its light , refreshing and easy so there is no reason not to give it a go. Here is how it is made.
Ingredients
2oz. (60ml) Whiskey of choice
Lemon wedges ( Half a Lemons worth)
1 Tbsp of sugar
8 Mint leaves
Garnish : Mint Spring
Preparation
In a shaker gently muddle the lemon wedges, sugar, and mint leaves together.
Add ice and the whiskey in and shake for 10 -15 seconds.
Pour out the mixture including the lemon slices and mint leaves but not the ice into an Old-Fashioned glass.
Top off with crushed ice and garnish with a mint spring.
Furthrer Informtation
Like most drink recipes we have on here that include mint leaves, we recommend slapping the leaves before using them to get the most oils and aroma out of them. Rubbing a leaf around the rim of your glass can also make for a more intense aroma for your drink and thus a more engaging drinking experience.
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