Whiskey Ginger Smash Recipe

This zesty variation on the classic Whiskey Smash adds a refreshing pop of fresh ginger. A mix of bourbon, lemon, ginger and mint is invigorating, cooling, and pretty much the perfect way to unwind on a hot summer day.

The classic Smash cocktail

The original Smash debuted some time in the mid 1800s and was commonly made with brandy. Over time, whiskey became a popular choice, and today it's the best known type of Smash.

The Smash and the Julep are similar classic cocktails, although Juleps lack the burst of fresh citrus that makes a Smash so incredibly refreshing. While a Julep is stirred in the same cup it's served in, smashes are vigorously muddled, shaken and strained. Learn more about the classic Whiskey Smash or discover the interesting history of this family of cocktails over on Imbibe.

Ingredients for this cocktail

To make a Whiskey Ginger Smash, you'll need just four ingredients. Let's dive into each and talk about possible substitutions and recipe variations.

Bourbon whiskey

Bourbon is the classic choice for a smash, and its naturally sweeter flavor profile makes for a great contrast to the citrus and herbal flavors of the drink. However, rye whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Irish whiskey and even blended Scotch whisky are all great choices as well. I used Maker's Mark here and it's a top choice of mine for bourbon cocktails.

Fresh lemons

Unlike many cocktails that use lemons, we won't be using just the juice. The Smash muddles fresh lemon wedges to release both their juices and their oils. You'll need half a lemon per cocktail.

Ginger syrup (and how to substitute)

Ginger syrup is fairly easy to find these days from quality brands like Liber & Co. While you can use a store bought syrup, I prefer to make my own with fresh ginger juice. I make a quick simple syrup and then add The Ginger People's bottled ginger juice. This gives the syrup (and the cocktail) the flavor of fresh ginger but without a lot of extra work. Get all the recipe details in my Ginger Simple Syrup for Cocktails. If you don't have or can't make ginger syrup, here are some other options for making a Whiskey Ginger Smash:

Ginger liqueur

You could instead use ginger liqueur in this recipe in place of the ginger syrup, although you may need to also add a quarter ounce of simple syrup for balance. Liqueurs vary in sweetness and alcohol content which can affect how sweet or strong the finished drink will taste.

Fresh ginger root

If you have fresh ginger root on hand, you could make ginger syrup with it (see recipe link above) or muddle a few very thin slices along with your lemon and mint, and then add plain simple syrup in place of the ginger syrup. This will make a tasty drink, but I don't find it to have quite as much ginger flavor as when using my ginger simple syrup.

Ginger beer

If you don't have ginger syrup, ginger liqueur, or ginger root, you could make this recipe with plain simple syrup and then top up the finished serve with ginger beer. This makes a different-tasting cocktail, but it is delicious nonetheless. For this substitution, fine strain your cocktail into a highball glass filled with ice (rather than a lowball), and then top with ginger beer.

Mint

Fresh mint is a key ingredient in a Whiskey Smash. Muddling the mint and lemon wedges is what makes the cocktail incredibly cooling, refreshing, and fresh-tasting. You'll need a handful of mint leaves for the drink as well as a sprig for garnishing. The mint garnish lends an aroma that greatly enhances the flavors of the drink, so don't skip it!

Crushed ice

Not really an ingredient, but ice is always important in cocktails. I find that a Whiskey Smash is best suited to being served over crushed ice because it keeps the drink super cold and adds extra dilution. While not critical, I recommend using crushed or pebble ice with this recipe.

How to make the cocktail

To make this Whiskey Ginger Smash, add the ginger syrup and lemon wedges to a cocktail shaker. Most Smash recipes would say to the mint at this stage, but because it will be smashed to oblivion once shaken with ice, it's honestly not really necessary. Muddle the lemon wedges and syrup, pressing down hard to release the juices from the flesh and the oils from the peel.

Next, add the mint and bourbon and fill the shaker about three quarters with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, about ten seconds. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer (to catch all that smashed mint and lemon pulp) into a lowball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and enjoy!

You may also enjoy these other whiskey cocktails:

• Blueberry Whiskey Smash
• Modern Mariner (Bourbon Tiki Cocktail)
• Old Fashioned Paloma (Bourbon and Grapefruit Cocktail)