Florida Whiskey Smash Recipe - Florida Dancing Juice (2024)

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The Whiskey Smash (or Bourbon Smash) is an uncomplicated co*cktail, with complex flavor. A citrusy spin on a mint julep it combines muddled mint and lemon with bourbon and simple syrup. Served over ice it makes the ultimate refreshing evening sipper. We give this classic recipe a Florida twist by using local bourbon and a homemade orange blossom honey simple syrup made from local Florida honey. Help support local and enjoy your Florida Whiskey Smash.

What Ingredients Do I Need For A Whiskey Smash?

The Alcohol

The Whiskey:This recipe is whiskey heavy, so you want to make sure you use a quality bourbon. Our go-to Florida whiskey is Florida Double Cask Bourbon from St. Augustine Distillery, but Florida Reserve Bourbon from Timber Creek Distillery and Old St. Pete Sweet Corn Whiskey from St. Petersburg Distillery are also great options.

Recommended Florida Bourbons:

• Florida Double Cask Bourbonfrom St. Augustine Distillery
• Florida Reserve Bourbon from Timber Creek Distillery
• Old St. Pete Sweet Corn Whiskey from St. Petersburg Distillery

Get these bottles delivered right to your door by DRIZLY.Click and use code DRIZLYDEALfor$5 offof your first order.

The Mixers

The Mint: Most mint sold in stores is spearmint, which is exactly what you want for use in co*cktails, drinks and cooking. It is more delicate and sweeter than it’s more pungent sister peppermint. The USA produces 70% of the worlds mint. The main mint growing states are Washington, Oregon, Indiana and Idaho, so buying local for this ingredient isn’t easy. If you really want to try to keep things local, then you might have to try growing the mint in your garden.

The Citrus: Most US lemon farms are out west in California, but there are some 600 acres of lemon groves right here in the south of Florida. (This pales in comparison to the roughly 500,000 acres we have for growing oranges and grapefruits!) If your local store or market sells Florida lemons, then great- if not you may have to make do with those from our Californian cousins. For this Whiskey Smash recipe, you need to use freshly squeezed juice. Bottled lemon juice has an artificial taste that will ruin your co*cktail. You can squeeze lemons with your hands, but this won’t yield as much juice. Not to mention you will make a mess! We recommend buying a juicer, they are a game-changer. We use a Zulay citrus press which has the added bonus of being a robust two in one design that handles both lemons and limes with equally perfect results.

Recommended Juicer:Zulay Premium Citrus Press

The Sweetener:Honey simple syrup goes great in whiskey co*cktails, as they compliment and bring out the honey notes in the whiskey. For this recipe we use our homemade orange blossom honey simple syrup which adds a subtle orange undertone that goes beautifully in the whiskey smash co*cktail. There is some great local honey in Florida, especially orange blossom honey (naturally given the number of orange groves we have). Our favorites are Winter Park Honey, Bee-Haven and McCoy’s Honey.

Recommended Florida Orange Blossom Honey:

Winter Park Honey – Florida Raw Orange Blossom Honey

Bee-Haven – Raw 100% Pure Orange Blossom Honey

McCoy’s Honey – All-Natural Florida Raw Orange Blossom Honey

What Equipment Should I Use for a Whiskey Smash?

The Muddler: You can use the end of a rolling pin, or a wooden spoon and it will get the job done. If you enjoy muddled drinks like this Whiskey Smash or Mojitos then you might want to get yourself a muddler. You can pick one up pretty cheap from Amazon, we like the finish on the lacquered walnut muddler from Winco. It’s very affordable too!

Recommended Muddler: WINCO Wooden Muddler (Lacquered Walnut)

The Shaker: Get yourself a good quality co*cktail shaker that stands out on your bar cart. Our favorite shaker is the beautifully designed patterned brass shaker fromAbsolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.

Recommended co*cktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Patterned co*cktail Shaker.(Use this link to get $15 off your first order)

The Strainer:As this recipe involves mint being muddled you will need a fine mesh strainer to make sure you don’t end up with tint bits of mint leaf in your co*cktail. A mini co*cktail strainer works best and there are plenty of affordable options on Amazon.

Recommended Strainer:MAKERSTEP Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers (Set of 3)

The Glass: Serve your whiskey smash in a double Old Fashioned glass (also called rocks glass). Typically holding between 10-12 oz these are perfect for drinks on the rocks, or spirit forward co*cktails such as a Whiskey Smash or an Old Fashioned.

Recommended Glass:MARQUIS By Waterford Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4

How Should I Serve My Whiskey Smash?

Shaken or Stirred: Shake this co*cktail to ensure the juices and oils from the lemon and mint mix well with the whiskey and simple syrup. If you are looking for a standout co*cktail shaker, then we love the beautifully designed shakers from Absolut Elyx Boutique. The patterned brass designs are stunning. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.

Straight up or on the rocks: Serve your Whiskey Smash over ice cubes or crushed ice for the ultimate refreshing sipper.

The Garnish:Slide a wedge of lemon and a sprig of mint down the side of the glass. If you want to be more ambitious then you can always try a lemon rose garnish to really impress your friends.

We hope you enjoy our Florida Whiskey Smash recipe below, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers!

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases of recommended products are made. This is at no additional cost to you, and every penny we make goes back into buying and trying more tasty Floridian tipples.

Other Florida co*cktail Recipes To Try:

Old Fashioned Floridian (Orange Old Fashioned)

Key Lime Whiskey Sour

Cosmo-floridan (Cosmopolitan)

Grapefruit Martini

Florida Orange Daiquiri

Southbeach fizz

Tom(ahawk) Collins

Thanks For Supporting Local Florida!