Irish Whiskey Smash Recipe
Whether you need a fun St. Patrick's Day cocktail or an everyday sipper, this Irish whiskey smash is always refreshing with its bright mint and tart lemon.
How to Make the Best Irish Whiskey Smash
This Irish Whiskey Smash is the perfect refreshing cocktail that celebrates the bright, citrusy flavors of fresh lemon and aromatic mint. Whether you’re toasting on St. Patrick’s Day or just looking for a sophisticated everyday sipper, this whiskey smash delivers crisp, herbaceous notes balanced with the warmth of quality Irish whiskey.
The muddling technique is key to this cocktail’s success. By carefully bruising the lemon and mint together, you release their essential oils and flavors without over-extracting bitter compounds. The result is a perfectly balanced drink that’s bright, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying.
With just five minutes of prep time and a handful of quality ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality cocktail at home. The optional club soda adds a fun bubbly element, while the fresh mint garnish provides both visual appeal and an extra aromatic touch when you clap it to release its fragrance before sipping.
Irish Whiskey Smash
Whether you need a fun St. Patrick's Day cocktail or an everyday sipper, this Irish whiskey smash is always refreshing with its bright mint and tart lemon.
Ingredients
Cocktail
Instructions
Preparation
- In a cocktail shaker, add the lemon wedges and simple syrup and muddle until the lemon breaks down. Add the mint leaves and gently muddle a few times — the mint just needs a few twists and doesn't need to be worked as much as the lemon.
- Add Irish whiskey and ice. Place the top of the cocktail shaker on and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass. If desired, top with club soda for a bubbly finish. If desired, place the mint sprig in the palm of one hand and quickly clap the other hand on top to release the mint's fragrance and garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
- For homemade simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water, heat until sugar dissolves, then cool completely.
- Gently muddle the mint to release oils without bruising the leaves excessively.
- Club soda is optional but adds a refreshing effervescence to the drink.