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Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: Mar 12, 2019 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Irish Whiskey Smash

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St. Patrick's Day is coming up, and we could all use a festive cocktail to celebrate the occasion. Enter this Irish whiskey smash. With its smooth Irish whiskey, tart lemon and bright mint, this cocktail is a refreshing sipper to enjoy on this spring holiday.

Two Irish whiskey smashes on a marble tray.

Of course, don't feel like you can only drink this Irish whiskey smash for St. Patrick's Day. Smashes are one of my favorite types of cocktails, and this recipe works perfectly well year-round.

Essentially, a smash is a cocktail that uses a liquor, fruit, herb and sweetener. I'm a sucker for anything with fresh herbs, so a good smash is my perfect kind of drink. All right, it's time to start mixing.

An aerial view of the two Irish whiskey smashes.

Ingredients

Let's begin by gathering our ingredients. We obviously need Irish whiskey along with lemon, fresh mint and simple syrup. If you’d like, you’re also welcome to give it a fizzy topper from club soda, though it’s optional.

  • Irish whiskey: My go-to Irish whiskey is Jameson.
  • Fresh lemon juice: For the perfect brightness.
  • Fresh mint: This adds a lovely refreshing flavor and fragrance.
  • Simple syrup: To give the perfect touch of sweetness.
  • Club soda: This is optional, but it's nice if you'd like a bubbly finish.

A quick note about the simple syrup -- while you can buy simple syrup, I like to make my own because it’s incredibly easy. Simply combine equal parts water and sugar and simmer until the sugar dissolves.

Making simple syrup ahead of time is ideal to give it time to cool. That said, I’ve been in a pinch and had to make simple syrup on the spot. Just use plenty of ice in your cocktail shaker, and you’ll be fine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

And now to start shaking. We grab our cocktail shaker and add a little simple syrup, some mint leaves and half a lemon cut into wedges, and then we muddle.

From here, we pour in the bourbon, add ice, pop on the top and give it a good shake. Strain into ice-filled glasses and top with a little club soda if you want some fizz. Honestly, it's delicious both with or without fizz, so you do you.

And that's it! Easy, huh? Take a sip and enjoy.

A bottle of Jameson with two Irish whiskey smashes

Expert Tips and FAQs

  • Purchase lemons that feel plump and have some give when you press them. Rock-hard lemons are a sign that they're dried out.
  • Firmly roll the lemon on the countertop under the palm of your hand before juicing. This helps release the juice.
  • If you don't have a muddle, a sturdy wooden spoon will do the trick.
  • Before garnish the mint, place the sprig in the palm of your hand and then quickly clap your other hand on top. This step helps release the oils to make for a more fragrant drinking experience.

Perfect Pairing

I love pairing whiskey and cheese together. With all the nuances in the different types of whiskey, you can play around with so many pairing options. For Irish whiskey, I love it with Brie and havarti, and I have just the recipe: a Parmesan-crusted Brie and havarti grilled cheese with apricot, avocado and fresh herbs. You can never go wrong with a fancy grilled cheese.

With Irish whiskey and its triple distillation, you generally get a smooth sipper with a touch of vanilla and honey. Both Brie and havarti pair well with sweet flavors, and I love how the nutty havarti works with slight spice of the Irish whiskey. That tart lemon from the smash also helps cut through the rich cheeses for a nice palate cleanser, and the mint is delightful with the herbs and apricot.

Of course, you very well may be drinking this cocktail with your St. Patrick's Day celebration. If that's the case, you're probably looking for something with more of an Irish flair. Try my Guinness Irish stew, slow-cooker Guinness corned beef, Irish chocolate cake, stout brownies or Baileys mousse on the side.

Bonus: If you love this whiskey cocktail, give my Irish mule a try as well. It's also a wonderful addition to your holiday cocktail menu.

If you need a fun St. Patrick's Day cocktail or just a refreshing sipper any day of the year, I hope you try this Irish whiskey smash. Please let me know how you enjoyed this Irish whiskey smash recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Cheers!

An aerial view of a single Irish whiskey smash with fresh mint.A closer view of an Irish whiskey smash with fresh mint and lemons.Looking for More Cocktails?

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Two Irish Whiskey smashes on a tray with citrus and mint around them.

Irish Whiskey Smash


★★★★★

5 from 17 reviews

  • Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
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Description

Whether you need a fun St. Patrick's Day cocktail or an everyday sipper, this Irish whiskey smash is always refreshing with its bright mint and tart lemon.


Ingredients

For Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

For Irish Whiskey Smash
8-10 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish, optional
1 ounce simple syrup (see note)
½ lemon, cut into wedges
2 ounces Irish whiskey
Ice
Club soda, for topping, optional


Instructions

  1. To make the simple syrup, simmer the 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar dissolves, remove from heat. Allow to cool.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, simple syrup and lemon. Muddle until the lemon breaks down and releases its juice. Add Irish whiskey and ice. Place the top of the cocktail shaker on and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
  3. Strain into an ice-filled glass. If desired, top with club soda and garnish with a mint sprig. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can also use store-bought simple syrup.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stove-Top
  • Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 drink
  • Calories: 225
  • Sugar: 20
  • Sodium: 5
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 21
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 0
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: Irish whiskey cocktail, whiskey smash, Irish whiskey smash

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Comments

  1. Lathiya says

    March 25, 2019 at 12:39 am

    I love the sound of this drink and it have nice vibrant color. Would love to try. Is there any non alcoholic substitute for whiskey?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 25, 2019 at 1:50 am

      Hi, Lathiya! I think it'd be great with a little lemonade or limeade with some club soda or sparkling water. I hope that works for you!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    March 22, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    This looks so delicious! I can't wait to try it out this weekend - I especially love the addition of mint!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 22, 2019 at 10:56 pm

      Yay for weekend cocktails! The mint really gives it such a fresh taste. Hope you love it! ?

      Reply
  3. Roslia santamaria says

    March 20, 2019 at 5:59 am

    Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 20, 2019 at 10:24 pm

      You're welcome -- and thank you!

      Reply
  4. Jacquelyn Hastert says

    March 19, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    The only whiskey is Irish whiskey (in my opinion) this cocktail sounds like perfection in a glass.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 21, 2019 at 12:16 am

      It's definitely a good one -- thank you!

      Reply
  5. Mimi says

    March 18, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    Combining liquor, fruit and herbs has never been better. I like the color, the proportions and I would imagine - the taste! Delightful cocktail that I can't wait to try!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 21, 2019 at 12:16 am

      Thanks, Mimi! Hope you love it.

      Reply
  6. April says

    March 18, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    Perefect drink not just for St. Patrick’s Day but for any day really. It is great to celebrate a special occasion with or just to sip on a gloomy day!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 20, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      ? percent! Glad you enjoy.

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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