Cucumber Basil Smash
The Cucumber Basil Smash is a vibrant and herbaceous non-alcoholic drink that is perfect for warm weather. It combines the cool, crisp flavor of fresh cucumber with the sweet, peppery notes of basil. A splash of lime juice adds a zesty brightness, while a simple syrup provides just enough sweetness to balance the flavors. Topped with sparkling water, it is a bubbly and sophisticated sipper for any occasion.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
This drink is classified as a modern mocktail. It falls into the "smash" style of drinks, where fresh herbs and fruits are muddled to release their flavors. It represents a contemporary approach to creating sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages.
Serving
Served cold over ice in a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass, this is a standard-sized, completely non-alcoholic beverage.
Serving size
Approximately 240 ml / 8 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The Cucumber Basil Smash does not have a single definitive origin story but evolved from the popular "smash" category of cocktails, like the Whiskey Smash or Gin Basil Smash. As the demand for complex, craft mocktails grew, bartenders began applying classic cocktail techniques to non-alcoholic ingredients. This particular combination became a modern classic due to its clean, garden-fresh flavor profile.
Origin
This is a modern creation, likely originating in the craft cocktail bar scene of the early 21st century in the United States or Europe. There is no specific inventor or date associated with it.
Cucumber Basil Smash
This drink is primarily known by its descriptive name, Cucumber Basil Smash. Alternative names like Cucumber Basil Cooler or Basil Cucumber Fizz are also occasionally used to describe this refreshing, muddled beverage.
Original name
Cucumber Basil Smash
Alternative names
- Cucumber Basil Cooler
- Basil Cucumber Fizz
Characteristics overview
This drink has a fresh, herbaceous flavor profile dominated by cucumber and basil, balanced by sweet and sour notes. Its pale green appearance, light fizz, and crisp texture make it an ultimate refreshing summer sipper.
Flavor
Cucumber, Basil, Lime, Fresh, Herbaceous, Crisp
Aroma
Basil, Cucumber, Citrus
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Refreshing, Herbal
Fizziness
Lightly bubbly
Color appearance
Pale green, Slightly cloudy, Translucent
Texture
Light, Crisp, Bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Spring
Flavor intensity & Experience
This mocktail has a moderate flavor intensity, characterized by a refreshing sourness from lime and balanced by a light sweetness. It is a non-alcoholic, non-spicy, and bubbly beverage with distinct herbaceous notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You will need fresh cucumber slices, basil leaves, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup, all topped with sparkling water. The freshness of the cucumber and basil is key to this drink.
- Cucumber4-5 slicesUse English or Persian cucumber for fewer seeds and thinner skin.
- Fresh Basil Leaves5-6 leavesSweet basil (Genovese) works best.
- Lime Juice22 ml / 0.75 ozFreshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
- Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz1:1 sugar to water ratio. Adjust to taste.
- Sparkling WaterTop up (approx. 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz)Club soda or seltzer water can also be used.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
The primary tools needed are a cocktail shaker and a muddler to release the flavors from the fresh ingredients. A fine-mesh strainer is also recommended for a smooth final texture.
- Cocktail shaker for shaking
- Muddler for crushing ingredients
- Fine-mesh strainer for double straining
Instructions
To prepare, muddle cucumber and basil with lime juice and syrup in a shaker. Shake vigorously with ice, then double strain into an ice-filled glass and top with sparkling water.
1. In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the cucumber slices and basil leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup.
2. Add ice to the shaker, filling it about two-thirds full.
3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Fill a Rocks glass with fresh ice.
5. Double strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass to remove any small bits of cucumber and basil.
6. Top the drink with sparkling water.
7. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a fresh basil sprig before serving.
Garnishing
Garnish with a fresh basil sprig and a thin ribbon or wheel of cucumber for a beautiful presentation that complements the drink's flavors.
- Cucumber ribbon or wheel, placed inside the glass or on the rim
- Fresh basil sprig, placed on top of the drink
Dietary Information
This mocktail is naturally free from alcohol, caffeine, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, provided the sugar used for the syrup is bone-char free.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a low-calorie mocktail, containing approximately 60-80 calories per serving, primarily from the natural sugars in the juice and the added simple syrup.
Calories
Averagely 60-80 kcal / 251-335 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 12-16 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This mocktail is perfect for sunny day gatherings like garden parties, brunches, or summer barbecues. Its refreshing nature also makes it an excellent choice for baby showers or simply as a sophisticated everyday non-alcoholic drink.
- Summer Party
- Brunch
- Garden Party
- Baby Shower
- Everyday Refresher
Pairing suggestions
The drink's fresh, herbaceous profile pairs beautifully with light summer fare. Consider serving it alongside fresh salads, grilled white meats or fish, and appetizers featuring goat cheese or other light cheeses. Its clean taste complements Mediterranean flavors well.
- Light salads
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Goat cheese appetizers
- Mediterranean dishes
Cucumber Basil Smash: A Garden in a Glass
The Cucumber Basil Smash is a quintessential modern mocktail, celebrated for its refreshing and aromatic character. By muddling fresh cucumber and basil, it extracts vibrant, garden-fresh flavors that are perfectly balanced by the tartness of lime and a hint of sweetness. Topped with soda for a light effervescence, it is an elegant, sophisticated, and entirely alcohol-free beverage. This drink is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a complex sipper without the spirits, perfect for warm days and social gatherings.
Variations
Similar Mocktails
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