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Whisky Smash

Whisky Smash

Bright, minty, and citrus-forward, the Whisky Smash is a refreshing shaken cocktail that shows just how versatile J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe can be. Fresh lemon, mint, and a touch of simple syrup create a lively sweet-and-sour balance with smooth Canadian whisky. A close cousin of the mint julep, it’s an easy, thirst-quenching serve for warm days.

Taste Citrus & Refreshing
Difficulty Hard
Glass Rocks
Garnish Mint Sprigs
Whisky Smash

Flavour Profile

strong minty sweet-and-sour shaken

ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe Canadian Whisky 2 oz.
Lemon juice 1 oz.
Simple syrup 0.5 oz.
Sprig of mint 1
Sprig of mint for garnish 1

instructions

  1. Add the mint and a splash of water to the bottom of a cocktail shaker glass and muddle (that is, press firmly with a muddler but without ripping it).
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnished with fresh mint sprig(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

A rocks glass filled with fresh ice works best. It keeps the cocktail cold, showcases the mint garnish, and suits the Smash’s shaken, citrus-forward style.
Yes. Berries or small pieces of cut fruit make great additions. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and small chunks of orange or lemon blend naturally with the cocktail’s mint and citrus.
Absolutely. Mix equal parts sugar and water, heat gently until dissolved, then cool before using. Homemade syrup gives a fresher flavour than store-bought versions.
Both use whisky, mint and sweetness, but a Whisky Smash is shaken with fresh lemon juice and served over ice in a rocks glass, while a Mint Julep is typically built in the glass with crushed ice. The Smash is more citrus-forward; the Julep leans cooler and more mint-heavy.

What you'll need

J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe Canadian Whisky

J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe Canadian Whisky

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The History of Whisky Smash

What’s the History Behind the Whisky Smash?

The Whisky Smash began life in the mid-1800s as the Mint Julep’s more relaxed cousin. Early bartenders described it as the “Julep on a small plan”, leveraging the same DNA of spirit, mint, and sweetness, but built faster, served casually, and made to be refreshing rather than ceremonial. By the 1850s, Smashes were everywhere, often made with brandy or whiskey and garnished with seasonal fruit.

Jerry Thomas included the Smash in his 1862 Bartender’s Guide, and an official Whiskey Smash appeared in his 1887 edition. A year later, Harry Johnson gave the Smash its own category, cementing it as a distinct style: spirit, mint, sugar, and whichever fruits were in season. Then the drink faded from menus for nearly a century, lost to changing tastes and Prohibition.

Its modern return came thanks to Dale DeGroff in the late 1990s. While reviving classic cocktails at New York’s Rainbow Room, he added muddled lemon to the old Smash template; unlocking a brighter, more citrus-driven version that tasted like a cross between a Julep and a Whisky Sour. That update became the contemporary Whisky Smash we know today.

How Did Canada Shape the Whisky Smash’s Story?

Canada’s influence on the Smash comes through choice of using whisky and modern interpretations. As the global craft-cocktail movement took hold, Canadian bartenders embraced the Smash because its fresh mint and lemon template pairs naturally with Canadian whisky’s smooth profile.

Liquor boards, bartenders, and Canadian distilleries began featuring their own takes, from blackberry-mint smashes to seasonal versions with apple, basil, or citrus. These recipes fit the drink’s original spirit: a flexible, refreshing cocktail built around whatever is fresh, local, and in season.

Why Is Canadian Whisky the Best Choice for a Whisky Smash?

A Smash relies on its base spirit to stay bright, balanced, and refreshing. Canadian whisky handles that effortlessly. Its smooth character integrates cleanly with muddled lemon and mint, while gentle rye spice adds just enough structure to lift the herbs and citrus without overwhelming them.

J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe is especially well-suited to this style. Its balanced oak, soft grain sweetness, and light spice make the cocktail taste crisp rather than heavy. That clarity lets the fresh mint, lemon oils, and simple syrup shine, exactly what the Whisky Smash format calls for.