This citrusy and flavorful bourbon mandarin basil smash is the perfect citrus season treat! This drink brings together fresh mandarins, sweet bourbon, and a refreshing touch of fresh herby basil and smashes them all together in a glass with ice. It's sweet, refreshing, and the perfect way to use ripe mandarins!
I love a fruity and refreshing bourbon cocktail, and if you love a smash - a mint julep is another great way to cool down with bourbon during the summer; check out this Fresh Blackberry Mint Julep, Passion Fruit Mint Julep, and Strawberry Mint Julep.
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WHAT IS A SMASH?
A "smash" is a classic style of cocktail that dates back to the 19th century. It's known for its refreshing and vibrant character, typically featuring fresh fruit, herbs, sugar, and a spirit. The name "smash" derives from the way the ingredients are "smashed" or muddled together to release their flavors, creating a delightful harmony of tastes. Smashes are a fantastic way to showcase seasonal ingredients and bring out fresh fruits' natural sweetness and aromas.
Key Ingredients
- Mandarins: fresh or canned ripe mandarins are key for the flavor and so that they are easy to muddle.
- Bourbon: This is a bourbon-based cocktail, and the bourbon flavor really shines through, so using a top-shelf, high-quality bourbon is key to a delicious-tasting drink. Woodford Reserve is our go-to bourbon for cocktails because it has an even flavor and mixes well with several flavors.
- Basil: basil gives this cocktail subtle herby note and more added freshness. Feel free to substitute for your favorite herb - mint and thyme also pair wonderfully with peaches.
- Honey: honey is our sweetener for the cocktail, but simple syrup or agave works as well!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this recipe:
- Step 1: Start by adding a whole peeled mandarin, 3-4 torn basil leaves, ¼ ounce honey, and 2 ounces bourbon to a rocks glass.
- Step 2: Muddle the ingredients until all the juice has been muddled out of the mandarin.
- Step 3: Cover the drink with ice and stir.
- Step 4: Garnish with mandarin leaf or basil.
Tips:
- Use fresh mandarins for the best flavor. If mandarins are not in season, consider using frozen peaches, but let them thaw before muddling.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less simple syrup.
- If you don't have a muddler, you can also use a wooden spoon.
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Mandarin Basil Smash
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: muddled
- Cuisine: american
Description
This citrusy and flavorful bourbon mandarin basil smash is the perfect citrus season treat!
Ingredients
- 1 peeled mandarin
- 3-4 basil leaves, torn
- ¼ ounce honey
- 2 ounces bourbon
Instructions
- Start by adding a whole peeled mandarin, 3-4 torn basil leaves, ¼ ounce honey, and 2 ounces bourbon to a rocks glass.
- Muddle the ingredients until all the juice has been muddled out of the mandarin.
- Cover the drink with ice and stir.
- Garnish with mandarin leaf or basil.
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