Citrus Herb Gimlet with Basil
A bright and refreshing gimlet featuring fresh lime and a touch of basil for an herbal twist. This recipe, 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 160 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
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- as needed ice cubes
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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 gently muddle to release their aroma without tearing.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 3/4 oz simple syrup to the shaker.
- Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice cubes up to the brim.
- Step 4: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
- Step 5: Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to remove basil bits.
- Step 6: Garnish with a small sprig of basil placed upright on the rim.








