Classic
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.
Sourced from Jerry Thomas, The Bar-Tender's Guide, 1862 (Smashes section). Carried forward through Old Mr. Boston Bartender's Guide (1935) and revived by Dale DeGroff in The Craft of the Cocktail (2002).