Thai Basil Smash recipe

Name: Thai Basil Smash
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 2 oz London Dry Gin; 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice; 0.75 oz Simple Syrup; 8 Thai Basil Leaves

A fragrant basil smash with Thai basil's peppery, anise-like perfume over gin and lemon.

Method: Muddle & Shake · Glass: Rocks glass · Time: 3 min · Difficulty: Intermediate · Family: The Daiquiri Family

Ingredients

2 oz London Dry Gin
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
8 Thai Basil Leaves

How to make a Thai Basil Smash

Press Thai basil gently with syrup in a shaker.
Add gin, lemon and ice.
Shake hard for 12-15 seconds.
Double strain over fresh ice.

Garnish

Thai basil sprig and lemon wheel.

Pro tip

Thai basil is more aromatic than sweet basil, so muddle gently to avoid bruised, vegetal bitterness.

History of the Thai Basil Smash

Thai Basil Smash variations bring Southeast Asian basil's distinctive anise and pepper notes to the Gin Basil Smash.

Flavour profile

Herbal, Anise, Citrus, Fresh

Variations

Gin Basil Smash — Return to gin, lemon and fresh basil.
Vodka Basil Smash — Use vodka for a cleaner, more neutral base.
Basil Gimlet — Use lime rather than lemon for a Gimlet-style sour.

Practise making the Thai Basil Smash in the free Virtual Bar game.