Shaken Citrus-Basil Refresher

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A bright and herbaceous cocktail balancing fresh citrus with sweet basil and a clean spirit base, perfect for a lively evening. This recipe, ready in about 8 minutes, brings together gin, fresh lemon juice, and 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 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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.

Prep: 8 min Serves 1 Cocktails & Beverages cuisine 160 cal/serving
Add this recipe to your weekly plan → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth BuyingThat guide’s top pick: A Bar Above Professional Boston Shakers on Amazon → (affiliate link)

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Muddle 4 fresh basil leaves gently in a shaker to release aroma but not shred them.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz basil simple syrup to the shaker.
  3. Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the brim and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
  4. Step 4: Double strain the mixture into a chilled highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
  5. Step 5: Top with 2 oz club soda and stir gently with a bar spoon for 10 seconds to combine.
  6. Step 6: Garnish by gently slapping a fresh basil leaf to release oils and place it on top of the drink with a thin lemon wheel on the rim.

Related recipes