Whiskey Smash
Julep's bright sibling
The Mint Julep's brighter, citrus-forward sibling. Lemon juice and crushed ice keep things lively; bourbon and mint provide the depth. Dale DeGroff's revival turned a 19th-century classic — buried for most of the 20th — back into a modern summer staple.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 6-8 leaves Fresh Mint
Method
In a shaker, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Shake briefly. Double-strain over fresh crushed ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a mint sprig and an expressed lemon peel.
Created by Dale DeGroff; first recorded at the Rainbow Room in 1988, later adapted for Bobby Flay's Bar American in 2005. Per Difford's Guide #3347 (documenting the 2005 version). Notes: A mint-forward riff on the Whiskey Sour; modern revival of the historic smash category of drinks (documented back to the 1840s–1860s).
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