Tequila Smash

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

If you want a sweet, citrusy and refreshing tipple, the Tequila Smash is what you’re looking for.

My mysterious benefactor had splurged on my latest assignment, and suddenly I was in a private apartment on board an A380 Airbus, bound for the opulent splendors of Dubai. The trip was unlike anything I had experienced, with my own bedroom, living area and shower. At almost eighteen hours in the air, this incredibly expensive and once-in-a-lifetime experience was luxuriously slow, allowing me to soak it all in… and let it get to my head.

After my mid-air shower and a wonderful sleep in an actual bed, I donned my sharpest and shiniest suit and indulged in a limousine ride to my destination, the Burj Khalifa. The tallest building in the world. Why was I sent here? That is a secret, but I can tell you it involved my first experience with tonight’s cocktail, the Tequila Smash.

At a private tasting in a suite halfway up the towering hotel and conference center, I was given Smash after refreshing Smash, taste-testing some of the finest tequilas in the world to see how they all played with the citrus, honey and mint. It was going well, but I lost track of how many Tequila Smashes I had imbibed, and while I was beginning to feel impaired, I didn’t think I was anywhere near my limit. I have the constitution of Clydesdale, and felt I could handle anything.

What happened next is a complete mystery, at least to me. I raised another Tequila Smash in the air to toast my hosts, and then suddenly there was wind in my hair. My eyesight was blurry also, but quickly coming into focus. My head hummed a little, and whatever I was sitting on was very uncomfortable and small. I quickly noticed that my hands were at my sides, clutching my “seat” with a white-knuckled grip. Half a mile below me was the dizzying sight of Dubai, and the blue of the Persian Gulf beyond. I was sitting on top of the tower’s antenna, frozen in fear and confusion.

And then I remembered… I was feeling so cocky at the tasting, and declaring these Tequila Smashes made me feel so good, that I boasted I could climb to the top of the world’s largest structure. And apparently I did.

Next time, I thought, I’ll just have one or two at home.

What Is The Best Tequila To Use In A Tequila Smash?

I prefer to mix my tequila cocktails up with a blanco variety of the spirit, as the unaged and grassy, peppery notes and clear color meld well with the other ingredients it plays with. For a more spicy and full-bodied Smash, you can use a reposado tequila, which will have a golden hue, or an añejo version, which is richer, darker and often a sipping liquor. For a smokier drink, you can try mezcal as well.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice and pour your Tequila Smash in. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a fresh sprig of mint on top.

CAN YOU MUDDLE LEMONS OR LIMES IN THIS COCKTAIL?

If you’d like. You can substitute muddling fresh lime and lemon wedges in place of using juice or a sweet and sour mix.

Other Smash Cocktails Worth Trying

It’s a hot, sweltering day here in Los Angeles, especially for May. At over 90 degrees, it is fair to say some cold, alcoholic refreshment is in order. And when the weather is the way it is, nothing beats a sweet and tart Smash cocktail. If you enjoyed the Tequila Smash, definitely check out a few of the other recipes we have here at Twist & Toast.

• Blackberry Bourbon Smash – The tart pleasures of blackberries turn this Smash into a fruity one.
• Elderflower Smash – St-Germain helps make this cocktail a floral and fresh one.
• Whiskey Smash – Fall in love with whiskey all over again with a few of these thirst-quenching coolers.
• Bourbon Smash – Smoky, sweet and minty, this classic libation is a great way to start the weekend.