Description
Summer cocktail magic meets citrus brilliance in this gin mandarin smash, blending fresh mandarin oranges with crisp gin and a hint of herbal complexity. Refreshing notes dance across palates, inviting you to savor each sip of this elegant, spirited libation.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 2 mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
- Mint sprig
- Mandarin slices
Spirits and Liquids:
- 2 ounces (60 milliliters) gin
- 1 ounce (30 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) simple syrup (optional, to taste)
- Soda water (to top)
Herbs and Additional Ingredients:
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Crush mandarin segments and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker, extracting their vibrant juices and aromatic oils.
- Pour gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sweet simple syrup into the muddled mixture.
- Fill the shaker with ice and vigorously shake to chill and combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass packed with fresh ice cubes, ensuring a smooth pour.
- Gently top the drink with sparkling soda water, creating a delightful effervescent layer.
- Artfully garnish with a delicate mint sprig and a thin mandarin slice to enhance visual appeal.
- Serve immediately to capture the cocktail’s optimal temperature and flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose ripe, juicy mandarin oranges for the most intense flavor and natural sweetness in your cocktail.
- Use fresh mint leaves instead of dried ones to maximize the aromatic oils and create a more vibrant drink.
- Adjust the simple syrup amount based on the sweetness of your mandarins, tasting as you go to find the perfect balance.
- For a lower-alcohol version, reduce the gin and increase the soda water, creating a refreshing spritzer-style cocktail.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg