East Side Smash
Inspired By:
Bar Leone (Hong Kong)
Complexity
Alcohol Level
3/5
Medium
Type
Smash
Preparation
Shaken, double strained
Glass
Coup
Ice
None
INGREDIENTS
Choeng Doi Blanc • 50 ml
Fresh Lime Juice • 25 ml
Cane Sugar Syrup • 15 ml
Absinthe • 2 dashes
Fresh Cucumber • 2 pieces, muddled
Fresh Basil • 4-5 leaves, muddled
STEPS
1. Muddle cucumber and basil in a shaker tin
2. Add Choeng Doi Blanc, lime juice, sugar syrup, and absinthe
3. Hard shake with ice
4. Double strain into a chilled coup
NOTES:
Adapted from Bar Leone (Hong Kong)'s East Side Smash, which originally split its base between white rum and Tanqueray Ten (25ml each).
This version drops the gin and runs on Choeng Doi Blanc alone at the full 50ml - its grassy, vegetal cane-spirit character carries the cucumber and basil without needing juniper for support.
HISTORY
A house favourite at Bar Leone (Hong Kong), sitting somewhere between a Gin Basil Smash and a Maid in Cuba.
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