Mountain Ridge Bourbon Smash
A robust and herbaceous bourbon cocktail featuring fresh mint and a hint of honey, inspired by the best of rustic mountain flavors. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together Bourbon, Fresh lemon juice, Honey syrup (1:1 honey to water) 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 210 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
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 8 leaves Fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup Crushed ice
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 8 fresh mint leaves and 0.5 oz honey syrup into a mixing glass. Gently muddle the mint leaves to release their oils.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice into the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Fill the glass with 1 cup crushed ice and stir gently with a bar spoon for 20 seconds to chill and combine.
- Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass packed with fresh crushed ice.
- Step 5: Garnish by slapping a mint sprig between your hands to release aroma and place it upright in the glass, then add a thin lemon wheel on the rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mountain Ridge Bourbon Smash take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 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 Mountain Ridge Bourbon Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover mountain ridge bourbon 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 Mountain Ridge Bourbon 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 Mountain Ridge Bourbon 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 Mountain Ridge Bourbon 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.
