The Gin Basil Smash is a modern classic, and one of the few cocktails invented this century to earn that title. Created in Hamburg in 2008, it took the simple gin sour template and threw a big handful of fresh basil into the shaker. The result is vivid, green, herbal and completely irresistible on a warm evening. It looks like a garden in a glass and tastes like one too.
This is one of my favourite drinks to make when basil is in season, and the technique is where people go wrong. Here is how I build one, and the trick to getting that bright green colour without a bitter finish.
What Is a Gin Basil Smash?
A Gin Basil Smash is a fresh, herbal gin sour made from gin, fresh basil, lemon juice and sugar syrup, shaken hard so the basil runs through the whole drink. It was created by bartender Jörg Meyer at Le Lion bar in Hamburg in 2008 and spread around the world with remarkable speed for such a young cocktail. It is sometimes called a Gin Pesto, which tells you everything about how green it is.
The gin gives the backbone, the lemon and sugar form the classic sour balance, and the basil is the star, muddled and then shaken hard to release its oils and colour. It sits somewhere between a Gin Sour and a Mojito in spirit, fresh and aromatic, but with basil in place of mint.
Ingredients
This makes one Gin Basil Smash. Use the card to scale it up, though it is best shaken a couple at a time so the basil stays vivid.
A Few Notes on the Ingredients
Basil is the whole point, so it needs to be fresh and fragrant. Give the leaves a sniff before you use them, they should smell intensely of basil. Tired, wilting supermarket basil will give a weak, grassy drink. Sweet Genovese basil is the classic choice, though Thai basil makes an interesting aromatic twist.
Gin should have a clean botanical profile so the basil stays the star. A classic London dry works beautifully, letting the herb lead. Avoid anything too heavily flavoured or the basil gets lost in the crowd.
Fresh lemon juice, as with any sour, is essential. It provides the sharp backbone that the sugar and basil play against. Bottled juice simply does not have the brightness this drink needs.
The muddle is the technique that makes or breaks it. You want to press the basil gently to release its oils, not pulverise it. Over-muddling tears the leaves and releases bitter compounds, which is the most common way this drink goes wrong. A firm press and then a hard shake does the rest.
Variations Worth Trying
- Thai Basil Smash: swap in Thai basil for a spicier, more aromatic character.
- Cucumber Basil Smash: muddle a few slices of cucumber in with the basil for extra freshness.
- Vodka Basil Smash: use vodka in place of gin for a cleaner, more neutral base.
- Strawberry Basil Smash: muddle a couple of strawberries in for a fruitier summer version.
Skip the Mixing
The Gin Basil Smash is a genuine pleasure to make, and if you grow basil it almost demands to be built fresh. It does take a shaker, a fine strainer and a bunch of good basil though, which is a fair bit of setup for a single glass. When you want that same fresh, herbal lift with nothing to muddle, our Elderflower Breeze pours it straight from the can, and the wider Boozy range is right here too.
Gin Basil Smash FAQs
What is in a Gin Basil Smash?
Gin, fresh basil, lemon juice and sugar syrup, muddled and shaken hard so the basil runs through the drink, then fine strained over ice.
What does a Gin Basil Smash taste like?
Fresh, herbal and citrusy with a gentle sweetness. The basil leads, backed by the sharp lemon and the botanical gin. It is bright, aromatic and very refreshing.
Why is my Gin Basil Smash bitter?
Almost always from over-muddling the basil. Pressing too hard shreds the leaves and releases bitter compounds. Muddle gently, just enough to release the oils, then let the hard shake do the work.
Is a Gin Basil Smash like a Mojito?
They share a fresh-herb, sour character, but they are quite different. A Mojito uses mint, rum and soda and is long and fizzy. A Basil Smash uses basil and gin, is shaken not built, and is shorter and more intense.
What gin is best for a Gin Basil Smash?
A clean, classic London dry gin works best, letting the basil lead. Avoid heavily flavoured gins that would compete with the herb.
