Revitalize your taste buds with this straightforward Gin Basil Smash recipe! Combining Gin, fresh basil, lemon juice, and sugar syrup creates a refreshing spring cocktail.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
195
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin - preferably London Dry
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 1 handful of fresh basil leaves
- Ice cubes
- Basil leaf - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Muddler
- Rocks Glass
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned or Rocks glass with ice cubes and give it a quick stir. Set it aside.
- Prep Shaker: Place 1 handful of fresh basil leaves into your cocktail shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Add 1 oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Muddle: Use the muddler to crush the basil leaves. Muddle well to blend the basil and lemon juice flavors and get a bright green color.
- Add Simple Syrup: Once you’re done muddling, add ¾ oz simple syrup to the mix.
- Add Gin: Finally, pour 2 oz Gin into the shaker.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes, close it and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain: Remove the ice in the Old Fashioned glass and refill it with fresh, new ice cubes. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and fine strainer, strain the drink into the ice-filled glass.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a basil leaf and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: Vodka can be a good substitute if you don't have Gin. It will give you a less botanical flavor but works well with the other ingredients.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch if fresh lemons aren't available. However, I always recommend using fresh when possible for the best flavor. Fresh lime can also be used if you don’t have any limes on hand.
- Simple Syrup: If you're out of simple syrup, you can make your own by combining equal parts sugar and water and heating until the sugar dissolves.
- Basil Leaves: If basil isn't available, mint leaves can be used as a substitute to make a Southside cocktail.
Making a Pitcher of Gin Basil Smash:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of fresh lemon juice, 6 oz of simple syrup and 4-5 handfuls of fresh basil leaves.
- Mix: In a blender, combine the basil leaves, fresh lemon juice, and gin. Blend for a few seconds on high speed, until the basil is well shredded and the mixture turns bright green.
- Strain: Filter through a fine mesh strainer: make sure that no pieces of basil are left in the mix.
- Add Sugar & ice: Add the simple syrup and a generous amount of ice cubes. Stir well.
- Strain and Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice filled Rocks or Old Fashioned glasses and garnish each glass with a basil leaf. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are widely available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular Gin, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Gin Basil Smash cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including gin, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Gin Basil Smash?
A Gin Basil Smash is a gin-based cocktail made of fresh basil leaves, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and London Dry gin. Despite its sophisticated taste profile, it’s really easy to make. The process involves muddling the basil leaves with sugar syrup and lemon juice to extract their flavors before adding the Gin and shaking everything together.
This drink isn’t a variant of any other well-known cocktail but has carved out its own niche within mixology circles due to its refreshing flavor that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and herbaceous notes.
What is a Gin Basil Smash made of – The ingredients
Gather these items if you’re making a Gin Basil Smash:
- Gin: The primary spirit in the cocktail, it provides a strong, robust base.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: They infuse the drink with a refreshing, herbal flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy acidity to balance the sweetness and enhance the basil’s freshness.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and helps to mellow out the gin’s strength.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and dilutes it slightly for a smoother taste.
