How to Make the Best Smash Cocktails for Summer
- Jessica
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
As the weather warms up, there are endless opportunities for sipping a cocktail in the sunshine, whether sitting on a porch, lounging at the pool, or – A Wine With Our Family favorite – relaxing on the deck.
The type of drink you choose depends on personal preference. We’ve written before about our take on a classic margarita. As Marla would tell us, you can’t go wrong with a crisp glass of white wine.
Today, we’re talking about smash cocktails. A smash cocktail is typically characterized by muddling or "smashing" fruit or herbs in the bottom of a shaker before shaking them with your spirit of choice and any other additions.
We believe the smash cocktail is an excellent drink, especially for summer. Often light and fruity, the best smash cocktails for summer can be crafted in a variety of ways. You can customize them however you like.
First, consider your fruit. You may want to tailor your cocktail for a particular time or occasion. For instance, last winter I made a cranberry bourbon smash for my annual holiday party. For summer, some fruits that have worked well for us include strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and raspberries. But you can use whatever fruit you like most! You can also choose fruits that are in season for your location for an extra-fresh option.
Next, choose your spirit. Some that we enjoy are gin, rum, whisky, and bourbon.
In our opinion, the best smash cocktails for summer also include an herbal component in the drink, which you can also use as a garnish. Consider fresh mint, thyme, basil, or rosemary. Many of these herbs can be grown at home with little experience or space if you want to start a houseplant or gardening hobby. I have mint, parsley, thyme, and rosemary currently growing in planters on my windowsill. One thing to watch out for with growing your own herbs is that many of them can get big quickly, so be prepared to get larger pots.
Adding a sweet component can also elevate your drink. Some options are simple syrup, sugar, or even maple syrup. You may want to start by adding very little of your sweetener and incrementally adding more depending on taste.
Last, consider using citrus like lemon or lime to add dimension and balance to your drink.
How to Make the Best Smash Cocktails for Summer
1. Add your fruit to the bottom of a typical cocktail shaker. For one drink, you won’t usually need a lot of fruit; four to five berries or slices can be enough, although you can always add more for a sweeter taste.
2. Use a muddler to smash the fruit in the bottom of the shaker. Don’t have a muddler? A spoon, rolling pin, or rubber spatula can work well.
3. If you are using citrus, add small cut-up pieces to the shaker. Avoid seeds as much as you can. Smash the citrus with the fruit.
4. Measure and pour in your chosen spirit. Most recipes call for anything from one half ounce up to two and a half ounces.
5. Add herbs, sweetener, and ice.
6. Give it a good shake!
7. Add ice to a glass, and strain your smash. For best results, we recommend double straining to get a smoother texture and avoid unwanted pieces of fruit or herb in your drink.
8. Garnish with extra fruit and herbs and serve.
We hope this guide on how to make the best smash cocktails for summer inspires you to experiment. Do you have a smash recipe that is your go-to? Is there a fruit and spirit combination we should try? Let us know at info@winewithourfamily!
Looking for more cocktail ideas? Take a look at our website and check out our related posts:
Comments