A delicious fruity cocktail featuring bourbon, fresh mint, and the citrusy complexity of Aperol.

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Well, friends, today is the day.  The day I turn the big 4-0!  It’s a little hard to believe but I also feel really excited.  The last decade of my life has been wonderful and full of adventures, and I’m hopeful the next decade will be even better.  So today is going to be a day of celebration!  How about a cocktail recipe?  Today I want to share my recipe for a Whiskey Smash.  More specifically a Bourbon Aperol Smash.  This is one of my favorite whiskey cocktails along with a freshly made whiskey sour.  A classic whiskey smash is made with whiskey, simple syrup, lemon, and fresh mint. I’ve taken that recipe and added a few twists to make this an even more tasty drink, in my opinion.  It’s the perfect cocktail for a party or a celebration.  Even if you aren’t a fan of whisky, try it out, you might be surprised!  

Whiskey vs. Bourbon: What’s the difference?

Whiskey is a general term for an alcoholic liquor made from fermented mashed grains.

Bourbon is the term for whiskey made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn and is traditionally made in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

How to Make A Bourbon Aperol Smash Cocktail: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

• Bourbon Whiskey
• Aperol
• Simple Syrup
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Fresh Mint Leaves
• Fresh Ice

How to Make a Bourbon Smash with Aperol

• Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Muddle to release the flavor of the mint leaves.
• Add ice to a cocktail shaker and shake hard 15-20 times.
• Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into an appropriate-sized lowball glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a mint sprig and a small piece of zested lemon peel or lemon wedges.  These fresh herbs add a lot to the cocktail, don’t leave them out!

What is Aperol?

Aperol is an Italian aperitif, a category of bittersweet liqueurs made to be consumed before a meal, and is owned by the Campari Group,  Aperol is made with bitter and sweet orange, rhubarb, and other herbs and spices that give it its signature bright color, that it lends to any cocktail it is mixed into.

Equipment Needed To Make A Whiskey Smash Recipe

To create a classic cocktail, having the right tools at your disposal can be super helpful. Although I believe all cocktail recipes should be accessible without needing special equipment!  Here’s the equipment I recommend and the substitutions if you don’t have it!

• COCKTAIL SHAKER: Having a dependable cocktail shaker will help you mix your cocktail to perfection. If you don’t have one a large jar or mason jar will work just fine!  Just be careful when shaking because it is glass after all.
• MUDDLER: A muddler is a tool used to mash herbs, fresh fruit, and/or spices in the bottom of a glass or cocktail shaker to release their flavor into the cocktail.  These are handy but the handle of a wooden spoon will work too!
• JIGGER: Achieving the perfect balance of flavors in your Bourbon Smash relies on accurate measurements. But a shot glass and/or measuring spoons can help you get your measurements for your cocktail
• CITRUS JUICER: Fresh lemon is essential for capturing the vibrant flavor of this drink. You can always just use a fork or your hands to juice your citrus – no big deal!
• STRAINER: Straining can help to achieve a perfectly smooth cocktail.  This of course isn’t necessary for the typical at-home bartender but a fine mesh strainer can be used to achieve this.
• LOWBALL GLASS: Selecting the right glassware is a fun part of choosing how to present your Bourbon Smash. But let’s be honest, the ingredients are the same regardless of what glass you choose to serve it in.  🙂
• GARNISH TOOLS: While completely optional, having tools for garnishing can help you add a refined finishing touch to your cocktail presentation. But we typically use a vegetable peeler. You can use a paring knife in a pinch, but avoid the white pith as it can impart a bitter finish to your drink.

While not strictly necessary, having the right tools can greatly enhance your cocktail-making experience and help you achieve professional-level results if you’re into that kind of thing. However, if you don’t have special equipment on hand, improvise with what you have at home.  To make a great cocktail (or a great meal!) you don’t need fancy equipment to make it taste fantastic!

Look at this cocktail, isn’t it a thing of beauty?  I hope you try this delicious drink for yourself!

Another whiskey drink you might enjoy:

The classic Old Fashioned

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Bourbon Aperol Smash | A Whiskey Smash Cocktail Recipe

A delicious fruity cocktail featuring bourbon.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Bourbon Whiskey Knob Creek or Yellowstone Select preferred
• ½ oz. Aperol
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• ½ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• A few leaves of fresh mint
• 2 shakes Angostura Orange Bitters

Instructions

How to Make the Simple Syrup

• Mix equal parts Sugar and Boiling Water.  Stir until thoroughly incorporated.  Chill in refrigerator (for at least 1 hour) until ready to use.

Whiskey Smash Instructions

• Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Muddle to release the flavor of the mint leaves.
• Add ice to cocktail shaker and shake hard 15-20 times.
• Strain contents of the cocktail shaker into appropriate size glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a Lemon Peel – twist peel over drink to express oil and lay on top of drink.