Basil Cucumber Gin Smash
A vibrant and herbaceous gin cocktail with fresh cucumber and basil, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 4 slices fresh cucumber slices
- 6 leaves fresh basil leaves
- enough for glass crushed ice
- 1 for garnish basil sprig
- 1 for garnish thin cucumber ribbon
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, muddle 4 fresh cucumber slices and 6 fresh basil leaves gently to release their aromas but not pulverize.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup to the glass.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir gently for 20 seconds to chill and blend flavors.
- Step 4: Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice to the top.
- Step 5: Strain the mixture over the crushed ice in the rocks glass.
- Step 6: Garnish with a fresh basil sprig and a thin cucumber ribbon twisted on a cocktail pick, resting on the rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Basil Cucumber Gin Smash take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Basil Cucumber Gin Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover basil cucumber gin smash in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Basil Cucumber Gin Smash?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Basil Cucumber Gin Smash for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Basil Cucumber Gin Smash?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
