Honey-Basil Gin Cooler
A bright gin cocktail with floral honey sweetness and fresh basil, perfect for a light, aromatic refresher. This recipe, ready in about 8 minutes, brings together gin, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup (1:1 honey 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 170 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 lemon juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 1.5 oz club soda
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 basil sprig
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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: In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle 5 fresh basil leaves with 1/2 oz honey syrup to release the herb's oils.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin and 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
- Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the brim and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Step 4: Double strain into a chilled Collins glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Step 5: Top with 1.5 oz club soda and stir gently once to blend.
- Step 6: Garnish by placing a fresh basil sprig upright on top and expressing a lemon twist over the surface, resting it on the rim.
