Drink: Confessions of a Plant Killer

The Smash
The instrument on the right is a two-sided jigger. The large side is 1.5 ounces. The small side is .75 ounce.

I admit it. I have killed several mint plants this year. People keep telling me that mint is soooo easy to grow — It’s a weed for goodness sakes. Yet as the summer days (also known as prime mint julep season) slide past I am, alas, mintless.

Finally I admitted defeat and bought some mint at the farmers market. I made a mint simple syrup that makes cocktail mixing a breeze. The first drink on my agenda was The Smash. The Smash is an easy version of the mint julep. The mint julep requires finely crushed ice, a silver cup, and wayyyy too much work. The smash requires – well a lot less work.

 Mint Simple Syrup

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 cups torn mint leaves

Pour sugar and water into a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook five minutes. Remove from heat. Add mint leaves and allow to cool. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain into a jar or other container with a cover.

 Smash

1.5 ounces bourbon (I like Maker’s Mark)
.75 ounce mint syrup (you can use as much or as little syrup as you like)
Ice

  1. Pour bourbon and mint syrup into a shaker filled with ice
  2. Shake well
  3. Pour into a rocks glass filled with ice
  4. Garnish with mint sprig – if desired
  5. Drink
  6. Repeat (Responsibly)
About Marion Branch 92 Articles
I'm Marion, a food blogger who creates recipes that make cooking accessible for home cooks.

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