Bourbon Chartreuse Smash · Wood's Hill Pier 4

By Eric Twardzik · 01/17/2020

Woods Hill Pier 4, the new Seaport sibling spot to Concord’s Woods Hill Table, puts a premium on sustainably sourced ingredients—and the cocktail program is no exception.

For example, take the Bourbon Chartreuse Smash. This spin on a Whiskey Smash incorporates Green Chartreuse, but its backbone is bourbon from Vermont’s Mad River Distillers.

According to Tomas Watler, principal bartender for the Concord Restaurant Group, the Vermont company reflects the ethos of the restaurant. “They only use local grains from local farmers, and they’re supporting the farmers’ markets in Vermont to make their products,” he says.

Aside from those spirits, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, mint is integral to the drink. Watler recommends using a single sprig, pulling three to five leaves from its center to shake into the drink, then using the rest of the sprig as the garnish.

Because the cocktail will be served with a frosty dome of crushed ice, Watler recommends a brief shake with just three ice cubes to chill it.

“Just enough to get it cold, but not enough to super-dilute it because you want to keep the flavors really bold, including the bourbon and the Chartreuse,” he says.

Bourbon Chartreuse Smash
Before adding mint leaves to the shaker, Watler recommends you “express” them by placing them flat on your palm and slapping them with your other hand.

1½ ounces Mad River Distillers Bourbon
½ ounce Green Chartreuse 
½ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce lime juice
3-5 mint leaves
Mint sprig and lemon wheel, for garnish
 
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with 3 ice cubes. Shake for about 5 seconds, then pour contents (without straining) into a rocks glass. Fill glass to slightly above the rim with crushed ice and garnish with mint sprig and lemon wheel.

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