Orange Bourbon Smash

This orange bourbon smash is refreshing and simple to make. Perfect for a hot summer day, as a Thanksgiving cocktail, or that New Year’s Eve bash. Mix a few ingredients together for a fresh citrus drink.

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A simple & delicious cocktail with oranges, lime juice, bourbon, triple sec, angostura bitters, maple syrup, and smashed mint leaves.

There’s something about orange and bourbon that just works well together. This recipe could be called an orange cooler. It is so light and refreshing that it is hard to tell if there is any bourbon in this at all. Well, trust me, there is. However, this is the type of beverage I like to enjoy. Just the right amount of balance between the sweet, sour, cool mint, and bourbon. It will be hard not to have another.

Trying New Drink Recipes

To be honest, we do not drink all the time. However, we do enjoy the occasional cocktail. We have been trying to make a new drink at least once a month the past few months. More recently, I made this Apple Cider Maple Syrup Old Fashioned. Amazing!

Making this Orange Drink for a Crowd

It is really hard to just make this beverage one at a time at our house. The recipe will note the amounts for one drink. However, there is a plus sign by the number of servings that will help you figure out the correct amounts to use when you make this for a crowd.

I made this in a pretty pitcher that I had, just stirred it with a long-handled spoon and served over ice.

Garnish Ideas

Today, this was garnished with a few fresh mint leaves and a slice of orange that has a slit in the middle. However, This orange slice could be cut in half or quarters then make the little slit to stick on the edge of the glass.

Orange Rind. Use your peeler to peel a bit of the orange rind and place that on top. Try not to get too much of the white part under the orange rind as that is a bit bitter.

Lime Rind. Use your peeler to peel a bit of the lime rind and place that on top.

Maraschino cherries or a piece of pineapple would be a delicious snack for this scrumptious beverage.

Ingredients Needed to Make this Orange Bourbon Smash

• Orange juice – fresh orange juice is the best, but purchase a low-pulp good tasting orange juice for this recipe.
• Bourbon – any kind of bourbon. My favorite is Knob Creek.
• Grand Marnier or Triple Sec – these are a type of orange liqueur that will enhance the orange flavor
• Lime juice – this helps enhance the sour notes in the drink.
• Maple Syrup – get the pure maple syrup if you can, just so much better.
• Angostura bitters – this gives that characteristic old fashioned type bitter tone to the taste.
• Fresh Mint Leaves – a big of smashing in the bottom of the glass gives just a slight hint of minty freshness.
• Lemon-Lime Soda – this will bring just the right amount of bubbly to the party.
• Ice – can be whole or crushed, your preference.

Recipe Variations

Swap out the orange juice for Orange-Pineapple Juice. The end result is a bit sweeter, but still very good.

Use Brandy or Whiskey to make this drink. I don’t want to leave one crowd out. People have their preferred brand; therefore, use what you like to drink. I have tried this recipe with both and like them equally.

Kiddie Cocktail – Non-Alcoholic Orange Smash

This drink can be made non-alcoholic too. A kiddie cocktail can be made that is healthy and refreshing for the little ones too. Help them feel special. Leave out the Bourbon, Marnier or Triple Sec, as they all have the alcohol. continue on with the recipe as noted.

If you have any adults that would prefer not to have alcohol, this upscale kiddie cocktail will have then enjoying a delicious option and still feel part of the crowd.

The orange juice makes this a bit healthy too.

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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.

• Apple Cider Maple Syrup Old Fashioned
• Mandarin Orange Creamy Dressing
• Light & Refreshing Fruit Cocktail
• Homemade Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
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