The Whiskey Smash is a summer drink — muddled lemon, fresh mint, a touch of sweetness, and whiskey over crushed ice. It's bright, refreshing, and one of the easiest cocktails to make look impressive. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- ½ lemon, cut into 4 wedges
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 6–8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig to garnish
- Crushed ice
- Rocks glass
How to Make It
- Add lemon wedges and simple syrup to a shaker. Muddle firmly — you want to extract juice and oil from the lemon skin, not just the flesh.
- Add mint leaves. Press gently with the muddler — one or two light presses to release the oils. Don't shred the mint.
- Add No. 86 and ice to the shaker. Shake hard for 10 seconds.
- Double strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice (strain through the Hawthorne strainer on the shaker and a fine mesh strainer to catch mint and lemon pulp).
- Garnish with a mint sprig. Slap the mint against your palm before placing it — this wakes up the oils.
Muddling the Lemon
The Whiskey Smash uses whole lemon wedges, not just juice. Muddling the wedges extracts juice and the essential oils from the skin — that citrus oil is what gives the Smash its brightness. Press firmly enough to break down the lemon flesh completely.
Double Straining
Double straining keeps lemon pulp and mint pieces out of the final drink. Use the spring strainer on your shaker and hold a fine mesh strainer over the glass as you pour. The result is clean, clear, and professional-looking.
Variations
Strawberry Smash: Add 2 fresh strawberries to the muddle with the lemon. The berry adds sweetness and color.
Basil Smash: Swap mint for fresh basil. Unusual but excellent — basil has an anise note that works well with No. 86's oak character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Smash and a Julep?
Very similar. The Julep uses only mint and simple syrup — no lemon. The Smash adds muddled citrus, which makes it brighter and more tart. Both use crushed ice.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You lose the lemon oil from the skin, which is half the point of muddling whole wedges. Fresh lemon is non-negotiable for this drink.
Do I need a muddler?
A muddler is ideal but a wooden spoon works fine. You just need something sturdy enough to press the lemon wedges firmly against the bottom of the shaker.
Bright, fresh, worth making.
No. 86 and fresh lemon — the ritual of summer, without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.