Carolina Citrus Smash
A vibrant citrus-forward cocktail with bright orange and grapefruit flavors balanced by smooth bourbon and a hint of honey. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together bourbon, fresh orange juice, fresh grapefruit juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 twist orange twist
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes to chill. Pour in 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz fresh orange juice, 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 0.5 oz honey syrup.
- Step 2: Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and lightly dilute.
- Step 4: Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express an orange twist over the surface by squeezing to release oils, then rim the glass and place the twist on top as garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Carolina Citrus Smash take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Carolina Citrus Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover carolina citrus smash in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Carolina Citrus Smash?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Carolina Citrus Smash for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Carolina Citrus Smash?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
