Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour
A vibrant gin sour with fresh basil and lemon, inspired by the lush gardens and elegant atmosphere of Kew. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together gin, fresh lemon juice, basil 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 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
- 3/4 oz basil simple syrup
- 1 large egg white
- 3 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1 twist lemon twist
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Tear 3 fresh basil leaves and place them in a cocktail shaker, add 3/4 oz basil simple syrup (made by infusing simple syrup with fresh basil leaves).
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1 large egg white to the shaker.
- Step 3: Perform a dry shake (shake without ice) vigorously for 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Step 4: Add ice cubes to the shaker until half full, then shake again vigorously for 12 seconds until well chilled and frothy.
- Step 5: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
- Step 6: Garnish by twisting a lemon peel over the surface to release oils, then lay it delicately on the rim.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (8 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 Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover kew garden basil gin sour 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 Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour?
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 Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour 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 Kew Garden Basil Gin Sour?
Cocktails 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.
