Each week, we order the same cocktail at two different bars for a friendly head-to-head battle. Go to the bars, taste them both and tell us what you like about each by tagging @pghcitypaper on Twitter or Instagram and using #CPBoozeBattles. If you want to be a part of Booze Battles, send an email to food-and-beverage writer Celine Roberts, at celine@pghcitypaper.com.

The Drink: Smash

Stagioni

2104 E. Carson St., South Side

Drink: Peach Smash

Ingredients: peach-infused Bulleit bourbon, mint, orange, lemon, mint garnish

Our take: The smell of fresh mint, concentrated but light, plays on the first sip of this cocktail. Smashes, a delightful summer concoction of seasonal fruit, ice and spirits, are a perfect way to use fruit without over-sweetening a cocktail. Because the fruit is simply muddled but not blended, the pulp lends a creamy texture. The small peaches used in this drink are perfectly ripe and taste as though they’ve just been picked off the tree.

Vs.

Eleven

1150 Smallman St., Strip District

Drink: Clementine Smash

Ingredients: Eagle Rare bourbon, clementine, mint

Our take: The clementine flavor of this smash is bold, tart and punchy. A slight bitterness from the citrus oils helps to balance the sweetness of the fruit. The drink is free of pulp and light on ice, giving it a very clean mouthfeel. Mint appears as a minor secondary note, just enough to taste at first. Bourbon makes a stronger appearance throughout, making this a boozy rendition of a smash.