The last weeks of July are a great time for garden cocktails, since the herbs planted way back in the spring are giving plentiful harvest now. The star of the show here at the distillery is our mint – we have a whole barrel full of the stuff!
With this abundance of mint, we’re reaching back to one of the early classics in cocktail history, and a perennial summer favorite, for good reason. The smash first appeared in the mid 1800s, and was constructed as a mixture of spirit, sugar, lemon and mint. So while you can make this drink with virtually any spirit, this week we’re making this classic cocktail with North Shore Vodka – it’s bright, fresh, and perfect for summer.
Classic Smash
2 oz North Shore Vodka (or Twisted Citrus Vodka, Gin No. 6 or 11, Sirène Absinthe Verte or whiskey, or…. you get the idea)
¾ oz Mint Simple*
¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Shake ingredients with ice, then strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a lemon twist. Add some fresh berries if you want, or any other summer fruit.
*or muddle 10-12 mint leaves into plain simple syrup.
