Bright Basil-Grapefruit Smash
A vibrant cocktail that mashes fresh basil and tart grapefruit together, delivering a herbaceous and tangy sip for summer nights. This recipe, ready in about 6 minutes, brings together fresh basil leaves, white rum, and fresh grapefruit juice 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 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 2 oz white rum
- 1.25 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz club soda
- as needed crushed ice
- 1 basil sprig
- 1 grapefruit wedge
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 6 fresh basil leaves in a mixing glass and gently muddle them 5 times to release their aroma without tearing.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz white rum, 1.25 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup to the glass.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with crushed ice and stir gently for 20 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture into a chilled Collins glass filled halfway with crushed ice.
- Step 5: Top with 1 oz club soda and stir once to combine.
- Step 6: Garnish by slapping a basil sprig between your hands to release fragrance, then placing it upright in the glass alongside a thin grapefruit wedge on the rim.








