Basil Smash
Also known as a Gin Basil Smash, and originally named the Pesto Smash, this cocktail was created in the summer of 2008 by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion - Bar de Paris, in Hamburg, Germany.
This cocktail not only has a striking colour (from muddling the basil leaves), but also a unique taste. You could say it is similar to a Gin Sour, because of the lemon juice, but the basil gives it a deliciously fresh taste. A favourite in the cocktail scene, the Basil Smash is rising in popularity and I am definitely a fan.
Ingredients:
60ml London Dry Gin (we like this with Tanqueray)
12 Fresh Basil Leaves
20ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
10ml Sugar Syrup
Garnish:
Sprig Fresh Basil
Method:
Add the basil leaves to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle - this process is to release the oils and not to destroy the leaves. Add the other ingredients to the shaker and fill with ice. Shake, shake, shake and fine strain (you don't want a mouthful of basil leaves) into an ice-filled glass 'Old Fashioned' style glass.
Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy.
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