Citrus-Basil Gin Sour
A refreshing twist on the classic gin sour, combining bright citrus notes with fragrant fresh basil for an herbal lift. This recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, brings together London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) 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 180 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 London dry gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1 egg white
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 for garnish basil sprig
- 1 for garnish thin lemon wheel
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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 4 fresh basil leaves in a cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release their aroma.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz London dry gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 3/4 oz simple syrup, and 1 egg white to the shaker.
- Step 3: Dry shake (no ice) vigorously for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and basil.
- Step 4: Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the brim and shake again for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
- Step 5: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass to ensure a smooth texture.
- Step 6: Garnish by placing a thin lemon wheel floating on the surface and a fresh basil sprig resting on the rim.







