This Apricot and Mint Bourbon Smash is a refreshing summer cocktail. Bourbon provides a warm, sweet-spicy base while fresh mint brightens each sip. Apricot nectar lends concentrated fruity sweetness, and a splash of soda water adds a fizzy finish. Garnish with mint to release a fragrant aroma as you sip—an easy, revitalizing drink for hot days.
What is a Smash?
A “smash” is a classic cocktail style dating back to the 19th century. At its core a smash is a relaxed, fruit-forward cousin of the julep: a spirit combined with sugar, fresh mint, water (or soda), and seasonal fruit, served over ice. This version uses bourbon for the spirit, apricot nectar to provide concentrated fruit and sweetness, fresh mint that’s muddled to release its oils, and soda water to give the drink a lively finish.
What is Apricot Nectar?
Apricot nectar is a concentrated form of apricot juice made by reducing water content. It’s richer, sweeter, and more opaque than standard apricot juice, which makes it ideal in cocktails where you want bold fruit flavor without diluting the drink. If you can’t find apricot nectar, apricot juice can be used in a pinch—just reduce the amount of soda water slightly to retain sweetness and a pronounced apricot taste.
The Bourbon
Bourbon is the spirit of choice for this smash. As an American whiskey aged in charred oak, bourbon brings a sweet profile alongside smoky, vanilla, and sometimes spicy rye notes. Those flavors pair beautifully with stone fruit like apricot and the cooling properties of mint. Choose a bourbon you enjoy neat, since its character will come through in the cocktail.
If you want a milder option, consider a bourbon with balanced sweetness and moderate spice. Lighter, fruit-forward bourbons highlight the apricot, while spicier, higher-rye bourbons add a bolder edge against the sweet nectar and cool mint.
Substitutions for Bourbon
If bourbon isn’t available or preferred, these alternatives work well:
- Tennessee whiskey – similar sweet-smoky character.
- Canadian whisky – smoother and milder; it removes some smoky bite and can make the drink more approachable.
- Rye whiskey – adds spicy bite and pairs nicely with mint and apricot for a more assertive cocktail.
Get the Recipe:
Apricot and Mint Bourbon Smash
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Ingredients
- 4–5 mint leaves
- Sprinkling of sugar (for muddling)
- 1½ oz bourbon
- 4 oz apricot nectar
- Soda water, to top
- Mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions
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Place mint leaves and a sprinkling of sugar in a highball glass and gently muddle to release the aroma—avoid tearing the leaves. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the bourbon and apricot nectar, then top with soda water. Give the drink a gentle stir to combine. For garnish, lightly clap a mint sprig between your palms to wake the oils and set it on top of the cocktail.