The whiskey smash is a throwback to 19th century mixed drinks and is becoming a popular choice again. The cocktail is similar to a mint julep and can be made with various ingredients, including lemon juice and carbonated water. The “smash” in the drink can refer to the high amount of whiskey or the process of mixing the ingredients. Recipes and variations can be found online, and it is recommended to chill the glasses before serving.
The statement “everything old is new” could certainly be applied to the whiskey smash. The drink is a throwback to the mixed drinks of old America made in the 19th century and featured in books such as How to Make Mixed Drinks, or Bon-Vivant’s Companion, written by Jerry Thomas and first published in 1862. Although many of these drinks are been replaced by popular modern alternatives, many are reverting to being the 21st century “it” drinks, with whiskey among them. Chef Bob Flay, of Food Network and famed restaurant Bar Americain New York City, dabbled in serving these drinks in the old days and ramped up the demand for whiskey to destroy bartenders’ know-how.
The cocktail is similar to a mint julep. Its main ingredients are sugar (Flay uses simple syrup), mint leaves, the occasional lemon wedge, crushed ice, and two ounces of whiskey or bourbon for a “smash.” Lemon slices, mint, sugar and ice are muddled or crushed with a pestle before adding the generous amount of whiskey. Some bartenders also use a little carbonated water to complement the whiskey, creating a slightly lighter taste.
Other whiskey smash recipes skip the lemon juice entirely and simply use mint, sugar, ice, and whiskey. Still others offer branded whiskies, where the real importance is the type of alcohol used. It is argued that higher quality brands make a better cocktail, and purists or bourbon or whiskey connoisseurs may prefer these types.
The “smash” in the drink can have two possible origins. With the high amount of whiskey, some of these drinks will have you cracking in minutes. Go carefully and sip your whisky, be sure to use a designated driver, bus, tube or taxi to take you home if you plan to indulge. Secondly, smash can refer to the process of mixing the drink, where the ingredients are smashed together before the alcohol is added.
Whiskey smash recipes and variations abound on the Internet. You can even visit sites like YouTube, where bartenders have helpful step-by-step visual guides for making the drink. If you plan to make the drink at home, you may want to use semi-tall or full-fat bar glasses and finish your mixing process before the guests arrive. Find freezer-safe glasses that will allow you to chill your muddled mix, but don’t forget the glasses in the freezer. You can usually plan on placing the glasses in the freezer for about 15 minutes before guests arrive. Any more and you could have a mess rather than a smash on your hands.
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