Gin Basil Smash
This drink demonstrates so ably how fresh ingredients can be incorporated into everyday drinking cocktails. Head to your kitchen garden or snag a big bunch of basil at the farmers’ market, and you’re mere steps from a living drink that will make your head dizzy. This drink smashes basil, but you can smash anything—tarragon, thyme, cilantro, or kefir lime leaves, be inspired
READY IN: 20mins
SERVES: 1
YIELD: 1 cocktail
UNITS: US
INGREDIENTS
NutritionSimple Syrup
- 1cup water
- 1cup demerara sugar
- 2⁄3ounce simple syrup
For Cocktail
- 2ounces gin
- 1ounce fresh lemon juice
- 2⁄3ounce simple syrup
- 1
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DIRECTIONS
- Make the simple syrup: Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir until sugar dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the stove. Cool. Transfer the syrup to a clean bottle or jar. Cover and refrigerate.
- Make the cocktail: Muddle basil leaves with lemon juice and simple syrup. Add ice and gin and shake. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice. Garnish with a basil sprig.