Cocktails come in many varieties, with new creations emerging all the time as bartenders experiment with flavors. Two popular cocktail styles are the smash and the sour. While both often contain citrus juice, they differ in other ingredients and preparation methods. Understanding the distinction can help you appreciate and enjoy these classic drinks.
What is a Smash Cocktail?
A smash cocktail is a simple mixed drink containing a spirit, citrus, sweetener, and herb. It’s served over crushed ice in a rocks or old fashioned glass. The herb and the act of muddling or crushing the ingredients give the smash its name.
The original smash recipe combines bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and mint. It likely originated in the late 19th century. The mint julep is probably the most famous type of smash, made with mint and bourbon.
Other popular smash cocktails include:
- Mojito – white rum, lime, mint, sugar
- Caipirinha – cachaça, lime, sugar
- Moscow Mule – vodka, ginger beer, lime
- Pimm’s Cup – Pimm’s liqueur, lemon, cucumber
You make a smash by placing the citrus and sweetener in the bottom of a glass and lightly muddling or crushing them to release the juices. Next, add in the spirit and herb, then fill the glass with crushed ice. Garnish with extra herb before serving.
The main characteristics of a smash cocktail are:
- Spirit base – usually whiskey, rum, or vodka
- Citrus juice – lemon and/or lime
- Herb or fruit muddled – mint, cucumber, strawberry, etc.
- Sweetener – simple syrup, sugar, honey
- Served over crushed ice
- Fresh, light, and refreshing flavor
Smash cocktails highlight the crispness of the citrus and aroma of the herb. Muddling brings out the juices for a flavorful drink. The crushed ice dilutes and chills the cocktail for summertime sipping.
What is a Sour Cocktail?
A sour cocktail contains a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener. This combination of sour, strong, and sweet defines the flavor profile. Sours date back to the mid-19th century.
The original sour recipe is the Whiskey Sour:
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 1 cherry garnish
Other popular sours include:
- Daiquiri – rum, lime juice, simple syrup
- Margarita – tequila, lime juice, triple sec
- Sidecar – brandy, lemon juice, triple sec
- Amaretto sour – amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup
To make a sour, you shake the spirit, citrus juice, and sweetener vigorously with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. It can be served straight up or over ice.
Some defining qualities of sour cocktails:
- Strong spirit base – whiskey, brandy, rum, tequila, etc.
- Fresh citrus juice – lemon, lime, grapefruit
- Sweetener to balance sourness – simple syrup, triple sec, etc.
- Shaken or stirred with ice and strained
- Balance of sour, strong, and sweet
- Refreshing, tangy, tart flavor
The sour mixing method creates a smooth drink with a frothy head. The citrus adds a tangy bite while the sweetener rounds out the sharpness. Sours have an intense, acidic flavor compared to the lighter smash.
Key Differences Between Smashes and Sours
While smash and sour cocktails both contain a spirit, citrus, and sweetener, they vary in terms of:
Preparation Method
| Smash | Sour |
|---|---|
| Muddled and gently crushed | Shaken vigorously and strained |
| Served over crushed ice | Usually served straight up or over ice cubes |
| Drink slowly dilutes | Already diluted and chilled from shaking |
Smash cocktails highlight fresh flavors through gentle muddling. Sours use forceful shaking to blend, chill, and dilute the drink. Smashes are slowly diluted as the crushed ice melts, while sours are pre-diluted.
Ingredients
| Smash | Sour |
|---|---|
| Herb or fruit muddled | No muddled ingredients |
| Highlighted herb/fruit aroma | Citrus flavor forward |
| Usually no egg whites | Optional egg white creates froth |
| Less sweetener | Additional sweetener |
The muddled herb or fruit is central to a smash, while sours focus on the spirit and citrus. Sours tend to use more sweetener to balance the tart citrus. Egg whites are sometimes used in sours for added froth.
Flavor Profile
| Smash | Sour |
|---|---|
| Soft, delicate, gentle | Sharp, tangy, tart |
| Subtle dilution from ice | Diluted and chilled from shaking |
| Highlighted aroma | Strong spirit flavor |
| Fresh, light | Intense, acidic |
Smash cocktails have a delicate, subtle flavor and aroma. Sours are more intense, with a strong spiritous bite balanced by tart citrus. The flavors blend smoothly in a smash, while remaining distinct in a sour.
Cocktail Recipes
To highlight the differences, here are recipes for some classic smash and sour cocktails:
Mojito Smash
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig garnish
Muddle the mint, lime juice, and simple syrup in a glass. Add rum and fill with crushed ice. Garnish with mint.
Whiskey Sour
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Lemon slice garnish
Shake bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass over ice or straight up. Garnish with lemon.
Serving Suggestions
Here are tips for when to serve smash vs. sour cocktails:
- Smash – Daytime patio parties, summer barbecues, brunches
- Sour – Evening cocktails, after dinner drinks, nightcaps
The gentle flavors of smashes suit warm weather day drinking. The intensity of sours works well later at night.
- Smash – Highlight ingredients like seasonal berries or garden herbs
- Sour – Showcase a premium spirit or brandied cherry garnish
Smashes allow herbs and fruit to shine, while sours focus on the liquor itself.
- Smash – Thirst quenching low alcohol refreshment
- Sour – Stronger drink for sipping and enjoying slowly
The crushed ice and gradual dilution of smashes make them ideal coolers. Sours pack more alcoholic punch in a smaller volume.
In Closing
While smash and sour cocktails share some attributes like spirits and citrus, they differ notably in preparation, ingredients, and flavor. Smashes have a soft, delicate character that highlights aroma. Sours are intense, tart drinks that focus on the spirit. Understanding the nuances helps select the right cocktail for everything from brunch to late nights. Next time you see a menu with smash and sour options, you can make the most informed choice based on the time, your tastebuds, and the overall setting and mood.