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Smash

Style

A smash is a short drink of spirit, muddled mint or fruit, and sugar, shaken and strained over ice.

Spirit
2 oz (60 ml)
Sweetener
0.75 oz (22 ml) simple syrup
Mint
6 to 8 leaves
First in print
Jerry Thomas, 1862
Formula
2 oz (60 ml) spirit, 0.75 oz (22 ml) simple syrup, 3 lemon wedges, 6 mint leaves, muddled, shaken and strained over ice

What smash means

You will meet smashes under a spirit name, such as Whiskey Smash, Gin Basil Smash or Brandy Smash. The base stays the same, while the fresh herb or fruit changes. Start with the Whiskey Smash, since it is the simplest way to learn the method. A smash holds 2 oz (60 ml) of spirit, and a vodka smash uses the same method with vodka.

The muddle is the step that sets the drink apart. Press the lemon wedges and syrup first to release juice and peel oil, then add the mint and press gently, so the leaves bruise without shredding.

You may have heard that a smash always has lemon. Jerry Thomas's 1862 smashes had no citrus at all. Dale DeGroff made muddled lemon the standard when he revived the Whiskey Smash, so a lemon-free smash may surprise a guest today, even though the early recipe had none.

How to make a smash

Muddle the lemon and syrup first, then add mint, spirit and ice, shake, and fine strain over ice.

  1. 1.Add 3 lemon wedges and 0.75 oz (22 ml) simple syrup to a shaker, then muddle them first.
  2. 2.Add 6 to 8 mint leaves and press gently so they bruise without shredding.
  3. 3.Add 2 oz (60 ml) spirit and ice, then shake hard.
  4. 4.Fine strain over cubed or crushed ice in an old-fashioned glass, so the mint bits stay out.

Smash compared

  • JulepA julep is spirit, sugar and mint over crushed ice in a julep cup. A smash usually adds muddled citrus or fruit and is served short.
  • MojitoA mojito is rum, lime, sugar and mint topped with soda in a tall glass. A smash has no soda.
  • SourA sour is spirit, citrus and sugar, strained clean. A smash adds muddled mint or other herbs.

Examples

  • Whiskey Smash
  • Gin Basil Smash
  • Brandy Smash
  • Whiskey Peach Smash

Related terms

Ingredients

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.

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