IBA
Gin Basil Smash – IBA
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17.9% ABV ∙
The Gin Basil Smash shakes London dry gin with fresh basil, lemon juice, and sugar syrup, poured into a chilled cocktail glass.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlLemon juice 22 mlSugar syrup 22 mlFresh basil leaves 10 pcs
- Fine strain into the chilled cocktail glass
Tips
- Shake hard for about 12-15 seconds; the basil goes in whole, and the shake is what pulls its oils into the drink.
- Fine-strain as you pour; it catches the shredded basil so no green bits end up in the glass.
- Pick a London dry gin with plenty of juniper; a delicate or floral gin gets buried under the basil and lemon.
History
The Gin Basil Smash – IBA is the International Bartenders Association's listing of the Gin Basil Smash, also known simply as the Basil Smash, which German bartender Jörg Meyer created at Le Lion in Hamburg in 2008.
The Whiskey Smash predates it by well over a century; Meyer's version keeps that smash structure but swaps in gin and basil for whiskey and mint, giving the drink its herbaceous, savory edge.
FAQ
How do you make a Gin Basil Smash?
Shake London dry gin hard with fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and a handful of fresh basil leaves, then fine-strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.
What kind of gin is best for a Gin Basil Smash?
A London dry gin, as in this recipe. Its juniper stands up to the basil and lemon, while softer, floral gins fade under them.
Can I make a batch of Gin Basil Smash in advance?
Not fully. Shake the basil fresh for each drink, right before serving; that hard shake is what releases its aroma, and basil left sitting in the mix turns dull and grassy. You can pre-measure the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup ahead of time.
