Summer produce used simply. This gin basil smash is a fresh, clean drink with the aroma of fresh basil and sweet raspberries. Muddle, shake, drink.
Gin Basil Smash – with Raspberries
The gin basil smash is not only one of our favourite summer cocktails, but one that can be made year round with a windowsill basil plant and frozen raspberries. Herbaceous fresh basil, sweet raspberries, and botanical gin make this a drink well worth shaking up.
This is particularly delicious as we move into summer. It’s a boozy, refreshing take on basil raspberry lemonade, with a touch of lemon juice and simple syrup in the mix.
Not sure what a smash is? It’s a variation on a julep and dates from the mid-19th century. Here’s a quick history of the smash.
If you want a basil gin smash fizz, add a couple of ounces of soda water to your glass after shaking and pouring. This drink serves one but can easily be doubled.
What You’ll Need
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh or frozen raspberries
- Simple syrup
- Lemon juice
- Gin
- Soda water (optional)
Why Shake a Cocktail?
There are several reasons why we shake and don’t stir. Shaking your drink in a cocktail shaker helps to blend the flavours more effectively, adds a touch of water to the drink as the ice cubes melt, and cools everything down.
We love this article on the science behind a cocktail shake. So while you don’t need one, if you enjoy a Friday evening cocktail, maybe a shaker belongs in your cupboard.
More Fabulous Cocktails and Mocktails
Pimm’s Lemon Crush Cocktail
Earl Grey Mocktail
Strawberry Slush with Lime (turn this into a champagne cocktail)
Cardamom Spiked Peach Shrub – try this with gin
If you make this recipe, let us know by tagging @baked_theblog + #bakedtheblog on Instagram! We love to feel like we’re in the kitchen with you.
Recipe
Gin, Basil, and Raspberry Smash
Description
Equipment
- Digital kitchen scale
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine mesh sieve
Ingredients
- Small handful fresh basil leaves, about 10 leaves
- 2-3 Tablespoons raspberries, fresh or frozen, plus more for garnish
- ½ oz simple syrup, see notes
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 2 oz soda water, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the basil leaves with the raspberries, simple syrup, and lemon juice to bruise the leaves and release the oils and juices.
- Add ice to fill the shaker half full, then add gin. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the mixture is cold, about 10 seconds.
- Double strain mixture into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a couple of fresh raspberries.
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