Herbed Gin Basil Smash
A fresh and herbaceous cocktail combining crisp gin with bright lemon and aromatic basil leaves for a garden-inspired refresher. This cocktails & beverages-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together London dry gin, Fresh lemon 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 London dry gin
- 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz Simple syrup
- 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- as needed Ice cubes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 6 fresh basil leaves and 0.75 oz simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle the basil to release the aromatic oils without tearing the leaves.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz London dry gin and 1 oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker filled halfway with ice cubes.
- Step 3: Shake vigorously for 12 seconds until well chilled.
- Step 4: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Step 5: Garnish with a small sprig of basil, lightly slapped between your palms to release fragrance, placed upright in the glass.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Gin Basil 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 Herbed Gin Basil Smash?
Refrigerate any leftover herbed gin basil 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 Herbed Gin Basil 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 Herbed Gin Basil 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 Herbed Gin Basil Smash?
Cocktails & Beverages 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.
