This Gin Basil Smash is the easy summer cocktail you've been waiting for! It is so easy and refreshing!
Gin, already herby, pairs beautifully with basil.
All you need to make this easy cocktail is gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and basil!
My basil is flourishing this year. I think because I'm growing it in pots and I have an easier time keeping it watered and tended to.
I've made batches of pesto and froze it. But I still had plenty of basil.
I love smash cocktails - which are basically cocktails made with muddled fruit or herbs. I remembered reading about a cocktail called a Gin Basil Smash.
The result is a lovely pale green cocktail, with a soft herbal flavor. Really refreshing!
Ingredients:
Gin - I wanted a gin with some juniper and herbal notes. Use your favorite gin (I don't have a favorite - I love all gins equally!)
Simple syrup - equal parts water and sugar, heated just until the sugar dissolves.
Lemon juice - fresh squeezed.
Basil leaves - both for muddling and for garnish. I used basil from my garden, but you could even pick up one of those little pots of basil from the grocery store.
Instructions:
Place about 10 basil leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. You can use more or less depending on how much basil flavor you want.
Pour in an ounce of lemon juice and ¾ ounce of simple syrup.
Using a muddle, lightly mash the gin with the simple syrup and lemon juice. It doesn't take much to get the basil to release it's flavor.
Pour in two ounces of gin.
Fill cocktail shaker with ice and place a lid on it. Shake vigorously to properly chill and dilute the cocktail - about 10 seconds. The longer you shake the more diluted the cocktail will become.
Fill an old fashioned glass with ice and strain the cocktail into it. Garnish with a basil sprig.
This was so easy and refreshing! I love the fragrant basil and the soft pale green color - it looks like summer, doesn't it?
I hope I've convinced you to try a smash cocktail. You can use your favorite herb, you favorite liquor and experiment.
More ways to use your basil:
Browse:
Recipe
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Gin Basil Smash
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 10 basil leaves plus a sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Place basil leaves in a cocktail shaker and add lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Muddle the basil with the juice and syrup by gently pressing on in a few times.
- Add gin and ice to the shaker. Place the lid on it and shake for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with basil sprig.
Soniya says
Oh wow! Looks and sounds so refreshing! Can't wait to try it.. cheers!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
So delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Katie says
Looks delicious! Can't wait to try this with my family. I know they'd go crazy!
Kathryn says
The most perfect summer cocktail! I love the combo of gin and basil!
Denay DeGuzman says
This summer cocktail was absolutely delicious! We'll be enjoying these refreshing gin drinks around the pool again today.