AI generated image of a recipe card.

Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Healthy Fact of the Day

Using fresh lemon juice instead of bottled enhances vitamin C content and flavor. You can also reduce the simple syrup for a lower-sugar version without compromising the zing.

This Bourbon Smash Cocktail perfectly balances the warmth and richness of bourbon with the bright citrus of fresh lemon and the cool, aromatic essence of muddled mint. Lightly sweetened with simple syrup and served over ice, it’s a refreshing twist on classic bourbon cocktails that delivers bold flavor in every sip. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or unwinding after a long day, this cocktail brings sophisticated flavor that’s surprisingly easy to craft.

If you love bourbon-based cocktails with fresh elements, you’ll also enjoy our Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail for a seasonal twist with warm spices. For more refreshing mint-forward drinks, try our Cranberry Mule or Hot Honey Margarita—both deliver that same bright, cooling experience with unique flavor profiles.

Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Recipe by Daily Disher

The Bourbon Smash Cocktail is bold, citrusy, and refreshingly minty—perfectly balanced for sipping on warm days or winding down.

Course: CocktailCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz bourbon

    • 1 tbsp simple syrup

    • 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice

    • 1 handful fresh mint leaves

    • 1 slice lemon

    • 1 cup ice cubes

    Directions

    • Start by placing the mint leaves and lemon slice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker and gently muddle them to release the mint’s essential oils and juices from the lemon.
    • Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice into the shaker, ensuring the flavors blend well for the perfect cocktail balance.
    • Top the shaker with ice cubes, filling it halfway, and secure the lid onto the shaker to prepare for shaking.
    • Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled, allowing the ice to dilute and blend the flavors harmoniously.
    • Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice, using a fine-mesh strainer to catch any mint or lemon sediment.
    • Garnish your cocktail with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel, serving it immediately to enjoy its refreshing taste.

    Nutrition Facts

    • Total number of serves: 4
    • Calories: 250kcal
    • Cholesterol: 0mg
    • Sodium: 620mg
    • Potassium: 400mg
    • Sugar: 8g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Calcium: 60mg
    • Iron: 2mg

    Can’t get enough of great flavors? Check out these popular recipes that readers love making again and again.

    For more cocktail classics, our Maple Bourbon Espresso Martini and Irish Coffee deliver sophisticated drinks that are perfect for special occasions. When you’re craving fresh, fruity flavors, the Strawberry Basil Margarita and Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz bring bright, seasonal tastes to your glass. Need more warming, cozy drinks? Our Hot Buttered Rum Cocktail and The Perfect Hot Coco offer that same comforting, indulgent experience you’ll love.

    Browse our full collection for more kitchen inspiration that’ll have your family asking for seconds.

    0.0 from 0 votes

    Recent Recipes

    Aldi’s August Finds Are Stacked — And

    • August 13, 2026
    • 5 min read

    Bushwacker

    • August 13, 2026
    • 12 min read

    The Cookout That Nobody Forgets: Building an

    • August 13, 2026
    • 12 min read

    Balsamic Peach Pork Chops

    • August 13, 2026
    • 6 min read

    Oreo Just Quietly Brought Back Two Fall

    • August 12, 2026
    • 3 min read

    Steak Diane with Asparagus

    • August 12, 2026
    • 13 min read

    Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

    • August 12, 2026
    • 6 min read

    The Summer Drink: What You Put in

    • August 12, 2026
    • 12 min read

    Check Your Fridge Now: Taylor Farms Recalls

    • August 11, 2026
    • 4 min read

    Shrimp Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Slaw

    • August 11, 2026
    • 11 min read

    Tip of the Day

    “Always let your meat rest before slicing.”

    Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steak, or baking pork tenderloin, letting cooked meat rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing allows the juices to redistribute evenly. This simple step keeps your meat juicy and tender, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist. Bonus: It gives you a moment to plate your sides or garnish for a perfect presentation!

    Our Latest Recipes

    Blog
    Daily Disher

    Aldi’s August Finds Are Stacked — And Fall Flavors Start Arriving This Month

    Aldi’s August lineup has a few genuinely nutritious standouts worth prioritizing. The Simply Nature Organic Chicken Sausage is a clean-ingredient protein with no artificial additives — a strong choice for late-summer grilling. The Shrimp Wonton Soup is one of the better-value seafood options in any freezer aisle, with shrimp delivering lean protein and bok choy adding calcium and vitamin C. And the Clancy’s Apple Chips arriving August 26 at $1.99 are a whole-food snack with no added sugar — a genuinely clean alternative to potato chips for fall snacking. When the pumpkin and maple wave hits August 19, enjoying those as occasional treats rather than daily staples keeps the seasonal indulgence balanced.

    Read More »
    Beverages
    Benjamin Brown

    Bushwacker

    Coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that your body metabolizes efficiently for quick energy — making this indulgent frozen cocktail surprisingly functional!

    Read More »
    Blog
    Daily Disher

    The Cookout That Nobody Forgets: Building an Outdoor Meal Around Memory

    Research on social eating and portion behavior at outdoor gatherings consistently finds that people consume more diverse foods — including more vegetables and more varied protein sources — at cookouts and outdoor gatherings than at comparable indoor meals. The informal, self-service format of the cookout encourages sampling from multiple dishes rather than committing to a single plate, which naturally produces greater dietary variety. The outdoor setting and the extended duration of the event also correlate with slower eating pace, better social connection, and higher reported meal satisfaction — all of which are independently associated with positive dietary and health outcomes.

    Read More »

    Get your daily dose of delicious!

    Skip to content