Whiskey Smash
A bright bourbon sour built on muddled lemon and mint — citrus-forward and refreshing, so batch the spirit-and-syrup base and add fresh lemon and crushed mint to order to keep it lively.
Set servings & plan this recipe →
How to make it
Shaken · Easy · about 3 minutes
- 1
Add the bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- 2
Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over.
- 3
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- 4
Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
This example makes 12 servings with added water at 27% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet → See the pre-calculated 10-serve batch →
| Ingredient | × 12 | mL |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 24.0 oz | 710 |
| Lemon juice | 9.0 oz | 266 |
| Simple syrup | 6.0 oz | 177 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Whiskey Smash, try…
Old Fashioned
whiskeyWhiskey, sugar, bitters — the original cocktail, built in the glass.
Whiskey Sour
whiskeyBourbon, lemon, and sweetener — the essential American sour.
Manhattan
whiskeyRye, sweet vermouth, bitters — the stately stirred classic.
Penicillin
whiskeyScotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
Whiskey Smash FAQ
What's in a Whiskey Smash?
A classic Whiskey Smash is made with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup. It's shaken and served in a rocks glass.
What is the ABV of a Whiskey Smash?
The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 24.6% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 1.33 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.
Should I shake or stir a Whiskey Smash?
Shake it. Citrus and other non-spirit ingredients need the aeration and hard chill that shaking gives.
How do I batch Whiskey Smashs for a party?
Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.