Gin Basil Smash

Name: Gin Basil Smash
Ingredients: Gin — 60 ml (2 oz); Fresh lemon juice — 30 ml (1 oz); Simple syrup — 20 ml (3/4 oz); Fresh basil leaves — 10-12

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Rocks glass

Glass

Basil leaf

Garnish

Ingredients

Gin — 60 ml (2 oz)
Fresh lemon juice — 30 ml (1 oz)
Simple syrup — 20 ml (3/4 oz)
Fresh basil leaves — 10-12

Method

Muddle the basil leaves with the simple syrup in a shaker.
Add the gin, lemon juice and ice.
Shake hard until well chilled.
Double-strain over fresh ice and garnish with a basil leaf.

Description: A modern German classic that muddles fresh basil directly into a gin sour for a bright, herbal cocktail.

Cultural Background: Created by bartender Jörg Meyer at the Bar Le Lion in Hamburg, Germany, in 2008, quickly spreading worldwide as a modern staple.

Tips: Muddle firmly to release the basil oils, then double-strain to catch the leaf fragments.

Variations: Swap basil for mint for a different, more classic herbal profile.

Serving Suggestion: Serve over ice, with the aroma of fresh basil rising as you sip.

Nutrition: Approx. 165 kcal per serving

FAQs:

Q: Why has this become so popular?
A: Its simple three-ingredient-plus-herb structure made it easy for bars worldwide to adopt quickly after its 2008 debut.