TJ Smash

A bold bourbon cocktail with fresh lime and mint, and rounded out by a generous dash of Angostura bitters. A cooling, aromatic, and refreshingly cocktail.

Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.

A bourbon cocktail served over crushed ice in a short glass, garnished with fresh mint sprigs against a dark background.

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces bourbon
¾ ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
8–12 dashes Angostura bitters
12 mint leaves

Instructions

Add bourbon, lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and mint leaves to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Double strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a mint sprig.

Notes from the Bar

Bourbon Base

Choose a bourbon with good body but not too much oak. Something approachable and smooth works best.

Bitters Note

Don’t hold back on the Angostura. The heavier dose gives the drink its signature spiced complexity.

Mint Tip

Clap the mint between your palms before adding as garnish to release its oils and aroma.

Glassware

Traditionally served in a rocks or highball glass packed with crushed ice.

Variations

Try swapping lime for lemon for a brighter citrus note, or add a splash of soda water for a lighter, longer drink.

Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.

Make It a Date Nite

This cocktail is part of something bigger for us. It's a ritual we return to week after week.

Each week, we create a Date Nite designed around one drink, one thoughtful menu, and the feeling of slowing down together. The kind of night where the table is set with intention, the music hums softly in the background, and the evening unfolds without rushing.

For this Date Nite, we’ve paired a cocktail with a cozy, make-ahead-friendly menu, so you can enjoy the process without spending the whole night in the kitchen. We also include little touches we love like timing notes, a head start option, and a playlist to set the mood. Feel to pair the meal with any of our cocktails.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And turning an ordinary night at home into something that feels quietly special.

Each Date Nite includes a curated menu, cocktail pairing and a playlist, as well as another thoughtful extras like make-ahead tips, leftover ideas or table talk prompts to carry the night.

Take a Peek at a Date Nite Menu →

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Kevin & Kate

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