Whisky Smash Batch Cocktail

I have had a rough week to say the least. Just after having the best 2 weeks worth of visitors, birthdays, and an engagement party I came down with the stomach flu. It was bound to happen. I somehow escaped multiple rounds of it between work and friends, but it found it's way to me. So while I may not be in any position for cocktails right now, I am really craving this. We served this serve-yourself cocktail at our engagement party last weekend, and it was a perfectly refreshing. Plus it allows your guests to make their individual cocktail as sweet or as strong as they prefer. Serve them up with a some fresh lemon and mint and you've got yourself a 5-star libation.

Whisky Smash Batch Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup whole mint leaves
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges
• 1 bottle of good quality bourbon

Add the water and sugar to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar is completely dissolved into the water, add the chopped mint leaves, remove from the heat, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. 

Pour the simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight bottle or container. Place in the refrigerator until party time.

Place the syrup, bourbon, whole mint leaves, and lemons wedges out with a sign that says "Mix 1 1/2 oz. bourbon + 1/2 oz. simple syrup, then garnish with mint and lemon". Serve over ice.