Basil & Gin Smash

Juleps & Smashes • May 07, 2026

Be the first to rate

A photo of the Basil & Gin Smash cocktail containing Basil leaves, Beefeater London Dry Gin, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne) in a Old-Fashioned.

Curiada Ingredients

Other Ingredients

  • 12.00 fresh Basil leaves
  • 0.75 fl oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 0.33 fl oz Giffard Sugar Cane Syrup (Sirop Sucre de Canne)

Directions

  • Gently muddle basil in base of shaker with gin
  • Let stand for ten minutes
  • Add other ingredients to shaker
  • Add ice and shake well
  • Fine strain into ice-filled old-fashioned glass
  • Garnish with three basil sprigs

Cocktail Description

This herbaceous gin cocktail brings the garden straight to your glass with fresh basil playing the starring role against London's finest juniper spirit.

The Basil & Gin Smash delivers bright, refreshing flavors where aromatic basil melds beautifully with Beefeater's crisp botanicals, balanced by tart lemon juice and rounded out with cane syrup's subtle sweetness. It's a simple cocktail that rewards patience—letting the muddled basil steep in gin for ten minutes before shaking extracts deeper herbal notes that make all the difference. Perfect for warm weather entertaining or as a pre-dinner sipper, this drink feels both sophisticated and approachable. The recipe requires basic mixing skills and common bar tools, making it accessible for home bartenders who can muddle without bruising. Pair it with Mediterranean fare like grilled fish, caprese salad, or lemony pasta dishes where the basil can echo similar flavors on the plate. Those three basil sprigs aren't just decoration—give them a slap before garnishing to release their oils and enjoy the aromatic experience with every sip.