A Virgin Cherry Jalapeño Smash (and one with Whiskey…)

My sister-in-law asked me to come up with some virgin drink options since she’s pregnant with her second baby (Congrats T!). I’ve been planning on adding some alcohol-free cocktail recipes to the blog for a while now, how could I say no? I remember struggling to find interesting non-alcoholic drinks that still made me feel like an adult, so I thought an actual cocktail variation was a good place to start.

​This a beautiful and versatile cocktail recipe made with fresh seasonal ingredients. I love that it can be made as a full strength cocktail, a spritz or a virgin drink. I think the smash is one of those drinks that people think is difficult to make, but its actually so easy (and way better fresh then those canned ones). This recipe is not too sweet with a bit of spiciness and grassy flavor from the peppers to remind you that that this is an adult beverage with or without the alcohol.

Cherry Jalapeño Smash

​1 oz. simple syrup
4 cherries pitted
1/2 lime
2-3 jalapeño rounds seeds removed
7 mint leaves

For virgin: soda water
For full-strength: 2 oz. whiskey (Henry McKenna)
for spritz: add whiskey and top with soda water

Place cherries, lime, jalapeño, mint leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle (about 7 times, too much muddling can make the mint leaves bitter).

To make a virgin cocktail I like to pour a bit of soda water into the shaker and dry shake, pour into a glass filled with ice, lime rounds and jalapeño slices and top with remaining soda water.

If you’re making a full-strength cocktail add the whiskey to the shaker and dry shake. Fill glass half way with crushed ice, lime rounds and jalapeño slices. Strain cocktail into the glass and top with more crushed ice.

If you’re making a spritz, make the full-strength cocktail, strain into a glass filled with ice, lime rounds, and jalapeño slices and top with soda water.

Garnish with fresh cherries and mint leaves.

I’d love to know if more people are interested in virgin or low-alcohol cocktail recipes, should I start adding those on a regular basis? Tell me in the comments.

Cheers!