Say Goodbye to Winter With This Smash

When you want an easy, refreshing cocktail, a Smash does the trick. Muddled lemon, mint, bourbon, and simple syrup come together quickly so you can quench your thirst in no time. Its simplicity also makes the Smash an excellent choice for experimenting with a variety of flavors.

Elderflower brings, of course, a floral note and also a hint of pear and honeysuckle. Try it in the Whisky Spring Smash, created by Charlotte Voisey, cocktail consultant for Maison Nur, Bar Tetto, and No.79 Bar in New York City. “It's a perfect cocktail as we say goodbye to winter and welcome the brighter, cooler days of spring,” she says. “It shows the lighter side of whisky and is approachable and easy to enjoy.”

Scotch creates a warm backbone upon which the bright acidity of lemon shines through, while invigorating mint cools the whisky's spice, and elderflower adds delicate hints of subtly sweet fruit.

Whisky Spring Smash

• 1 oz. Monkey Shoulder (or other scotch blended malt)
• 1 oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. mint simple syrup (recipe below)
• mint sprig for garnish

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well for 20 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with mint.

Mint Simple Syrup

• 2 mint sprigs
• 1 cup simple syrup

Holding mint sprigs by the long stem, blanch in boiling water for 15 seconds, then shock in ice water for 1 minute. Remove stems and place mint leaves in a blender with simple syrup. Blend for 30 seconds. Let rest 2 minutes before straining into an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for 2 weeks.