With the Kentucky Derby nearly upon us, you may be thinking of mint juleps, the stalwart Southern drink made of bourbon, mint, sugar or simple syrup, and ice. This year, though, consider the smash — which is like the julep’s footloose, freewheeling cousin.
In modern smashes, an herb — often mint, but you can use any leafy variety — is muddled with sugar or simple syrup and shaken with ice. Add citrus or other fruit in season, plus spirits, and lighten the mix, if you like, with a little seltzer. There really aren’t many rules, so be creative. Here are a couple of ideas to get you going. Chin-chin!
WHISKEY SMASH
Makes 2 cocktails
Many smash recipes specify simple syrup instead of sugar, but I think sugar is easier. As for the lemon, choose a juicy one with thin skin; Meyer lemons are great if you have them.
½ medium lemon
12 large mint leaves, torn, plus 2 small sprigs for garnish
1½ tablespoons sugar
Ice, preferably cracked or small cubes
5 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
4 drops bitters
3 ounces seltzer, cold, optional
Cut a thin slice from the lemon half, halve the slice crosswise, and set aside the 2 half-moons to use as garnish. Cut the remainder of the lemon half into thin pieces.
In a cocktail shaker (preferably Boston-style), muddle the lemon pieces, mint leaves, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid in the shaker is syrupy and very fragrant. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add the whiskey and bitters. Cover and shake to blend and chill, at least 15 seconds. Fill 2 Old Fashioned glasses halfway with ice, and, pouring through the strainer, divide the mixture between the glasses. Top with seltzer, if using, and stir gently, garnish with a lemon slice and a mint sprig, and serve at once.
BRANDY SMASH
Makes 2 cocktails
This brandy smash is flavored lightly with orange and mint, and I add a little Grand Marnier for good measure.
1 small orange (you will only use about a quarter)
6 large mint leaves, torn
½ tablespoon sugar
Ice, preferably cracked or small cubes
4 ounces brandy
1 ounce Grand Marnier
3 ounces seltzer, cold
2 maraschino cherries
Cut a thin slice from the orange, halve the slice crosswise, and set aside the 2 half-moons to use as garnish. Cut ¼ of the remaining orange into thin pieces.
In a cocktail shaker (preferably Boston-style), muddle the orange pieces, mint, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid in the shaker is syrupy and very fragrant. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add the brandy and Grand Marnier. Cover and shake to blend and chill, at least 15 seconds. Fill 2 Old Fashioned glasses halfway with ice, and, pouring through the strainer, divide the mixture between the glasses. Top with seltzer and stir gently, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry, and serve at once.
STRAWBERRY-BASIL SMASH
Makes 2 cocktails
I’m not a vodka drinker, so when this smash is made with vodka, I think it definitely needs the seltzer. If you like vodka, you might feel differently. When it’s made with rum, I like this smash both ways, lightened with seltzer and not. Stick with fresh berries for this smash — it’s not as good with frozen.
6 medium strawberries, hulled and sliced,
2 beautiful slices reserved for garnish
10 medium basil leaves, torn
¼ medium lime, cut into thin pieces
1½ tablespoons sugar
Ice, preferably cracked or small cubes
4 ounces amber rum or vodka
3 ounces seltzer, cold, optional
In a cocktail shaker (preferably Boston-style), muddle the strawberries, basil, lime, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid in the shaker is syrupy and very fragrant. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add the rum or vodka. Cover and shake to blend and chill, at least 15 seconds. Fill 2 Old Fashioned glasses halfway with ice, and, pouring through the strainer, divide the mixture between the glasses. Top with seltzer, if using, and stir gently, garnish with a strawberry slice, and serve at once.
GINGER-CHILI SMASH
Makes 2 cocktails
When making this with rum, I like to add the seltzer; I leave it out when using tequila.
½ medium lime
2½ tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
½ large serrano chili, with seeds, roughly chopped
10 large mint leaves, torn
1½ tablespoons sugar
Ice, preferably cracked or small cubes
4 ounces amber rum or reposado tequila
3 ounces seltzer, cold, optional
Cut a thin slice from the lime half, halve the slice crosswise, and set aside the 2 half-moons to use as garnish. Cut the remainder of the lime half into thin pieces.
In a cocktail shaker (preferably Boston-style), muddle the lime pieces, ginger, chili, mint, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid in the shaker is syrupy and very fragrant. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add the rum or tequila. Cover and shake to blend and chill, at least 15 seconds. Fill 2 Old Fashioned glasses halfway with ice, and, pouring through the strainer, divide the mixture between the glasses. Top with seltzer, if using, and stir gently, garnish with a lime slice, and serve at once.
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