Summer heat is setting in and we’re thinking about Smashes, super simple and super refreshing drinks that date back to at least the 1860s. Fresh fruit and fresh herbs all smashed into a drink to create something amazingly delicious. And what a wonderful thought: cooling off in July with a drink that has been around for a century and a half. There are endless Smash recipe combinations that we’re excited to dive into this month. But today we’re kicking off a month of Smashes with a crisp and restorative Lemon-Mint Gin Smash. –Andrew

Gin Smash

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 a Lemon, Quartered
Fresh mint

Muddle the lemon pieces and a few mint leaves in a shaker, then add the gin and simple syrup. Shake hard with ice and strain into a lowball glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and enjoy!

It’s that simple. A lemon-mint gin smash is basically a Gin Sour, but even closer to its roots. The mint was picked straight from our own garden and it’s hard to get much fresher than actual lemon – fragrant peel and all – getting literally smashed up into the drink. It’s the epitome of summer in a cocktail glass.

We used a local favorite gin, One Eight Distilling‘s Ivy City gin, made right here in DC. It’s made with spicebush, a local botanical that gives this gin a warm, spicy edge. It makes for a smash that’s sweet and tart and a bit spicy and wonderfully refreshing.

p.s. A few of our favorite smash cocktail recipes to make all summer long: Sage-Lime Tequila Smash, Basil-Mint Peach Bourbon Smash, Strawberry Mint Smash, and an Orange-Vanilla Bean Scotch Smash

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Glassware by Liquorary

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper