Basil smash: gin, lemon and basil in one glass
A basic recipe for this refreshing cocktail, with tips for measuring, preparing and serving it at home.
What is in the cocktail?
Gin Basil Smash combines gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and basil leaves. The ingredient list is short, so start with measured proportions and fresh leaves. Instead of adding more lemon or sugar by eye each time, make one serving, taste it and note what you would change in the next. That makes it possible to repeat a result you liked.
Quantities for one serving
The International Bartenders Association, IBA, recipe contains 60 ml of gin, 22.5 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 22.5 ml of sugar syrup and ten Italian basil leaves. You also need ice and a shaker. Measure the liquids with a suitable tool; a household glass or free pouring makes it difficult to maintain the proportions. If you use shop-bought syrup, check the information on the packaging, as sweetness varies between products.
How to make it
Wash the basil leaves and prepare a chilled glass. The IBA method puts the ingredients into a shaker with ice, shakes them well and pours them into the cocktail glass. Work with a securely closed shaker and open it carefully. Prepare each serving shortly before serving to enjoy its appearance and aroma, and clearly mark which glasses contain alcohol when serving several kinds of drinks.
Make adjustments gradually
Start with the basic recipe before replacing several ingredients at once. If you prefer a less sweet flavour, change the syrup quantity slightly in the next serving while keeping the other quantities constant. A drink without gin, made with lemon, basil and sparkling water, can be a pleasant alternative for guests who do not drink alcohol; it is a different drink, so adjust the proportions afresh rather than expect the same taste.
Set up a convenient serving area
Arrange glasses, ice, measuring tools and ingredients separately, and offer water and a non-alcoholic drink too. If you are hosting a group, there is no need to turn the evening into a cocktail-making contest: preparing a few servings in an organised way is better than a large bowl whose contents are hard to judge. If you drink, do not drive; plan your journey home before the evening begins.
