Missing 4
Tonight if you have Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, and Fresh Basil Leaves.
Missing: Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Fresh Basil Leaves
Lemon Juice also goes into: Appletini, Bee's Knees, Gold Rush
Ingredients
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Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.
How to make
- Add 8–10 fresh basil leaves and ½ oz simple syrup to a shaker.
- Muddle gently so the leaves bruise and smell green — do not shred the stems into bitterness.
- Add 2 oz gin, ¾ oz lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake hard until cold.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice so basil bits stay out of the sip.
- Slap a basil sprig between your palms and use it as garnish so the aroma hits before the gin.
History
Jörg Meyer created the Gin Basil Smash in 2008 at Le Lion in Hamburg, riffing on Dale DeGroff's Whiskey Smash: basil instead of mint, gin instead of bourbon. He first called it Gin Pesto, then published the Smash on the Bitters Blog that July. It spread because grocery-store basil and a London dry bottle are enough. Muddle the leaves in syrup, not dry, and stop before they turn into pesto. Double-strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass — this is a smash, not a coupe sour. If gin, lemon, and a bunch of basil are already in the pantry, you can mix it tonight.
Glassware
Short and sturdy for spirit-forward drinks served on ice — easy to hold, stir, and sip without watering down too fast.
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Gin Basil Smash FAQ
What ingredients are in a Gin Basil Smash?
A Gin Basil Smash is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and fresh basil leaves. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.
How do you make a Gin Basil Smash?
Add 8–10 fresh basil leaves and ½ oz simple syrup to a shaker. Muddle gently so the leaves bruise and smell green — do not shred the stems into bitterness. Add 2 oz gin, ¾ oz lemon juice, and ice. Shake hard until cold. Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice so basil bits stay out of the sip. Slap a basil sprig between your palms and use it as garnish so the aroma hits before the gin.
What glass do you serve a Gin Basil Smash in?
Serve a Gin Basil Smash in a Rocks glass. Short and sturdy for spirit-forward drinks served on ice — easy to hold, stir, and sip without watering down too fast.
Can I make a Gin Basil Smash with bottles I already own?
Add your spirits and mixers in Pantry. My Cocktail Pantry will show whether this Gin Basil Smash is ready to mix or which ingredients you are missing.
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