Gin Basil Smash
The Gin Basil Smash is a contemporary cocktail celebrated for its bright green hue and intensely fresh flavor. It's a simple yet elegant sour-style drink, balancing the botanical notes of gin with the sweet, peppery aroma of muddled basil, the tartness of fresh lemon juice, and a touch of simple syrup. The result is a crisp, aromatic, and invigorating drink perfect for warm weather. It is a testament to how a single, powerful herb can transform a classic gin sour into something entirely new and exciting.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Gin Basil Smash is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It belongs to the "smash" family of drinks, which are essentially a type of sour featuring muddled fresh herbs or fruit. Its creation in the 21st century and subsequent global popularity cement its status as a modern classic.
Serving
Served ice-cold in a chilled rocks glass, often over a large single cube of ice to minimize dilution. It is a moderately strong cocktail with a vibrant green color.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
This cocktail was created in 2008 by Jörg Meyer at his bar, Le Lion - Bar de Paris, in Hamburg, Germany. Inspired by the classic Whiskey Smash, Meyer decided to substitute gin and use a generous amount of basil. The drink's unique character and striking appearance led to its rapid rise in popularity, making it a staple on cocktail menus worldwide and a prime example of a modern classic.
Origin
Hamburg, Germany, 2008
Gin Basil Smash
The drink is most commonly known as the Gin Basil Smash, but is often shortened to just Basil Smash. Its vibrant green color and intense basil content have also earned it the humorous nickname "Gin-Pesto".
Original name
Gin Basil Smash
Alternative names
- Basil Smash
- Gin-Pesto
Characteristics overview
This cocktail presents a powerful aroma of fresh basil and gin, with a crisp, herbaceous, and sour-forward taste profile. Its beautiful vibrant green appearance and smooth texture make it an iconic and refreshing summer drink.
Flavor
Herbaceous, citrusy, crisp, refreshing, botanical, slightly sweet
Aroma
Fresh basil, piney gin, zesty lemon
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, lingering basil
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Vibrant green, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, crisp
Seasonality
Very refreshing, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is dominated by high sourness and strong herbaceous notes from the basil, balanced by moderate sweetness and alcohol strength. It is a still, non-creamy cocktail with an intense and fresh flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This recipe calls for four essential components: a quality gin as the base, freshly squeezed lemon juice for acidity, simple syrup for balance, and a generous amount of fresh basil leaves for its signature flavor.
- Gin60 ml / 2 ozA quality London Dry Gin works wonderfully to complement the basil.
- Fresh Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 ozMust be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 ozUse a 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio. Adjust to taste.
- Fresh Basil Leaves10-12 leavesA generous handful. The more basil, the greener the drink.
Ice type
- Cubed ice for shaking, one large ice cube for serving
Mixing equipments
A standard set of bar tools is required, including a shaker, a muddler to release the basil oils, and a jigger for measurement. Using both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer is key to achieving a smooth, debris-free texture.
- Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
- Muddler for pressing the basil leaves
- Jigger for accurate measurement
- Hawthorne strainer for primary straining
- Fine-mesh strainer for double-straining
Instructions
The method involves gently muddling basil with syrup, adding the remaining liquid ingredients, shaking vigorously with ice, and then double-straining into a chilled glass with fresh ice to ensure a clean, smooth drink.
1. Chill your rocks glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the fresh basil leaves and simple syrup to the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
3. Gently muddle the basil to release its aromatic oils. Avoid over-muddling or shredding the leaves.
4. Add the gin and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the shaker.
5. Fill the shaker with cubed ice until it's about two-thirds full.
6. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
7. Empty the chilling ice from your rocks glass and add one large fresh ice cube.
8. Double-strain the cocktail from the shaker through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the prepared glass.
9. Garnish with a fresh basil sprig and serve immediately.
Garnishing
Garnishing is simple yet essential, with a fresh sprig of basil placed on top. This enhances the drink's aromatic experience before the first sip.
- A fresh basil sprig, placed on top of the drink
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten (when using a distilled gin, which is considered gluten-free). It is fully suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
Per serving, this cocktail typically contains around 180-220 calories. Its carbohydrate content is relatively low, at about 8-12 grams, primarily from the simple syrup and lemon juice.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 750-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-12 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7-10 grams
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is exceptionally well-suited for summer gatherings, garden parties, or as a refreshing aperitif before a meal. Its bright and invigorating character also makes it a great choice for casual get-togethers on a warm evening.
- Summer Party
- Aperitif
- Garden Party
- Casual Gathering
Pairing suggestions
The Gin Basil Smash pairs wonderfully with light, fresh, and savory foods, particularly those with Mediterranean flavors. It complements appetizers like bruschetta and Caprese salad, as well as main courses such as grilled chicken, fish, or light pasta dishes. Its herbaceous notes also work well with the tang of goat cheese.
- Caprese salad
- Bruschetta with tomatoes
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Light pasta dishes
- Goat cheese appetizers
The Gin Basil Smash: A Modern Herbaceous Masterpiece
The Gin Basil Smash is a celebrated modern classic known for its striking green color and intensely aromatic basil flavor. It is a refreshing sour-style cocktail that beautifully balances the botanicals of gin with tart lemon and a hint of sweetness. Created in Hamburg in 2008, it quickly became a global bar favorite due to its unique and vibrant character. It's the perfect drink for summer sipping and an excellent example of how simple, fresh ingredients can create an exceptional and memorable cocktail.