Dry Orange Smash
Smashes were all the rage from the 1830s through the Civil War period. In July 2021, we delved into its history and the (s)mash-up of nineteenth- and twentieth-century styles that produced the modern Smash. This one features my signature presentation and is laced with amaro and fortified wine, just like my Derby Smash (bourbon, rabarbaro, blanc vermouth, honey, mint). The “dry orange” bit in the title refers partially to the dry sherry and partially to a soda flavor by Polar, the pride of Worcester, MA.
INGREDIENTS
2 orange half-wheels, plus 2 whole orange wheels, for glass
2 lemon wheels
8 leaves mint, plus a mint bouquet for garnish
½ oz. pineapple-cinnamon syrup
1½ oz. aged rum
½ oz. oloroso sherry
¼ oz. amaro
ABV LEVEL
In a shaker tin, muddle mint leaves, orange half-wheels, and lemon wheels with the syrup. Add rum, sherry, and amaro. Fill shaker two-thirds with regular ice and shake hard for 5 seconds. Arrange 2 thin orange wheels on the inside of a double rocks glass. Fill halfway with crushed ice to keep orange wheels in place. Double strain the drink into your prepared glass and add more crushed ice. Garnish with a bouquet of mint, slapping it a couple times before placing it in the drink. Add a straw next to the mind. Mound more crushed ice on top and serve.
