Exposing my naiveté, often with humiliating consequences, seems to happen on a near daily basis these days. The silver lining is that such exposures often lead to a teaching moment.
Dining out with She Who Must Be Obeyed the other evening, a couple of these Classic Whiskey Smashes rolled by our table looking inviting, intriguing in part due to the classic mounded ice protruding over the rim.
The bartender manifested only minor amazement that I didn’t know the cocktail from sight, and offered a quick tutorial and complementary beverage for asking. Hot damn.
Another classic for your collection.
7 mint leaves (fresh of course)
1 half lemon, quartered lengthwise
1 tbsp simple syrup
1/4 cup bourbon
Nice crushed iceGarnish: More fresh mint sprigs
Muddle the mint leaves, lemon half pieces and the simple syrup in a tall mixing glass or your trusty shaker 5-6 times to release their juices and oils.
Add the bourbon, then pour into an old fashioned glass. Fill roughly halfway with crushed ice, then mound more crushed ice on top to get the classic shape.
Garnish with a mint sprig or two.
Enjoy.
