We have extolled the virtues of not
pulverizing your mint in a muddle or shaking it on ice until it
shreds it to bits, however there is a style of drinks that actually
calls for it- the smash. Famous barman Jerry Thomas called the smash
“a julep on the small plan” because the smash and julep often has
the very same ingredients. However, the smash’s mixing procedure
does not call for as much time or delicate hand as the julep does.
Essentially, the smash needs the bitter green in a plant to suck out
sugar in a drink and add dimension.