14 Must-try Basil Cocktails

Herbs like basil can take your cocktails to the next level, adding a fresh and unexpected twist. These 14 must-try basil cocktails bring the perfect balance of flavor and creativity to your glass. Explore this collection of recipes and find your next favorite drink!

Basil Smash

The Basil Smash is a refreshing cocktail highlighting the vibrant flavors of fresh basil. It’s a blend of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Perfect for a summer day, this drink brings a burst of herbaceousness to your palate.

Ingredients:

• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 2 oz gin
• 0.75 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part water)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Place the basil leaves in a cocktail shaker.
2. Gently muddle the leaves to release flavors.
3. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice.
5. Shake until the mixture is cold.

To Serve:

• Strain the cocktail into a lowball glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a basil sprig.
• Optional: Top with a splash of soda water for added fizz.

This cocktail is renowned for its simplicity and vibrant taste.

It’s a sophisticated yet easy-to-make drink that impresses. Each sip delivers a pleasant combination of freshness and zest.

Basil Martini

The Basil Martini brings a refreshing twist to a classic cocktail. Here’s how you can make this delightful drink at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin or vodka
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce basil simple syrup
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves
• Ice cubes
• Optional: egg white for frothiness
• Garnish: sprig of basil or rosemary

Instructions:

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add:

• 2 ounces gin or vodka
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce basil simple syrup
• 2-3 fresh basil leaves

3. If using egg white:

• Add it to the shaker
• Dry shake for 45 seconds to create froth

5. Add ice cubes to the shaker.
6. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
7. Double strain into the chilled glass.
8. Garnish with a basil or rosemary sprig.

Basil Mojito

A basil mojito offers a fresh twist on the classic mojito. The combination of basil and lime creates a refreshing drink perfect for warm weather.

Ingredients:

• 8-10 fresh basil leaves
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 ounces white rum
• Soda water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Place basil leaves, lime wedges, and sugar in a glass.
2. Muddle the mixture gently until the sugar dissolves and the basil releases its aroma.
3. Add the white rum to the glass and stir.
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
5. Top with soda water.
6. Stir again and serve.

Tips:

• Use fresh basil for the best flavor.
• Adjust the sugar to taste.
• Experiment with flavored rums for a different twist.

Basil Margarita

A Basil Margarita combines the classic margarita flavors with fresh, aromatic basil. It adds a refreshing twist to the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp agave nectar or honey
• Ice
• Salt for rimming (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare your glass: Rim the edge of your glass with lime and dip it in salt if you prefer a salted rim.
2. Muddle the basil: Place basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Gently press down on the leaves and twist to release their oils.
3. Add remaining ingredients: Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and agave nectar or honey with the muddled basil in the shaker.
4. Shake well: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled.
5. Strain and serve: Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a basil leaf or lime wheel if desired.

Basil Gin Fizz

The Basil Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail. It combines the herbal taste of basil with the zest of citrus and the sparkle of soda water. This drink is perfect for warm summer days or gatherings with friends.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• Splash of soda water
• Ice cubes
• Basil sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle basil: Place the basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Muddle them gently to release their oils.
2. Add gin, lime juice, and syrup: Pour in the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake with ice: Add ice cubes to the shaker. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
4. Strain into glass: Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with soda water: Add a splash of soda water.
6. Garnish: Garnish with a basil sprig.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Strawberry Basil Lemonade brings a refreshing twist to your typical lemonade. The combination of fresh strawberries and basil provides a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and herbaceous.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka or gin
• Lemonade
• Fresh strawberries
• Basil leaves
• Ice

Instructions:

Prepare Ingredients:

• Chop fresh strawberries.
• Chop basil leaves.

Mix Ingredients:

• In a tall glass, add 1.5 ounces of vodka or gin.
• Fill the glass with ice.
• Add lemonade to fill the glass.
• Stir to combine.

Add Garnish:

• Garnish with extra strawberries and basil leaves for a decorative touch.

An alternative method for making Strawberry Basil Lemonade involves using a blender:

Blend Ingredients:

• Blend strawberries and basil until smooth.
• Strain the mixture to remove pulp.

Combine in Pitcher:

• In a large pitcher, add the strawberry-basil blend.
• Stir in simple syrup, water, and lemon juice.
• Serve over ice.

Adding a splash of club soda can give it a fizzy touch. Garnish with sliced strawberries and a basil leaf for added flair. This drink is perfect for hot summer days.

Basil Gimlet

A Basil Gimlet is a refreshing cocktail. It combines the herb’s aroma with the citrus tang of lime.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Place fresh basil leaves into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add gin.
3. Gently muddle basil leaves to release flavors.
4. Pour in fresh lime juice and simple syrup.
5. Add ice and shake well until cold.
6. Strain mixture into a chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a basil leaf.

A Basil Gimlet can also be made with variations, such as using vodka instead of gin. This version can be paired with cucumber for added freshness.

Cucumber Basil Gimlet (Variation)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz lime juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• 4 slices cucumber
• 5 basil leaves
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber and basil in a shaker.
2. Add vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Fill with ice, shake well.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cucumber slice and basil.

Basil Collins

The Basil Collins is a refreshing and simple cocktail. It balances the natural flavors of basil and lemon, creating a light, zesty drink. Perfect for spring and summer.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces NOLET’S Silver Dry Gin
• 3 muddled lemon wedges
• 0.5 ounce honey syrup
• 0.5 ounce lemon juice
• 3 basil leaves
• Club soda

Instructions:

1. Muddle the lemon wedges and basil leaves in a shaker.
2. Add the gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice.
3. Shake with ice until well-chilled.
4. Pour into a Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Watermelon Basil Cooler

The Watermelon Basil Cooler is a refreshing drink combining the sweetness of watermelon with the aromatic notes of basil.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped watermelon
• 5 basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup, to taste
• Ice cubes
• Ginger ale or sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Chop the watermelon and remove any seeds.
2. In a blender, combine the watermelon, basil leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
5. Strain the blended mixture into the glass.
6. Top with ginger ale or sparkling water.
7. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh flavors!

Basil Old Fashioned

The Basil Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic cocktail. It brings in the herbaceous flavor of basil, adding a fresh note to the drink.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz basil simple syrup (see recipe below)
• 2 dashes of bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Basil leaf, for garnish

Basil Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions for Simple Syrup

1. Boil water and sugar until sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
3. Blend the syrup and basil until basil is finely chopped.
4. Strain the mixture and store it in a jar in the fridge.

Instructions for Basil Old Fashioned

1. Combine bourbon, basil simple syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Express the oil from the orange peel over the drink and drop the peel into the glass.
5. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Basil Pisco Sour

A Basil Pisco Sour blends the traditional Peruvian cocktail with fresh basil. This twist adds a unique, aromatic flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 parts Pisco
• 1 part simple syrup
• 1 part lime juice
• 1 egg white
• A few fresh basil leaves
• Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Prepare: Gather all your ingredients.
2. Muddle Basil: In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the basil leaves to release their oils.
3. Add Ingredients: Add Pisco, simple syrup, lime juice, and egg white to the shaker.
4. Shake: Add ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
5. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled glass.
6. Garnish: Add a dash of Angostura bitters on the foam. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Cucumber Basil Cooler

Create your Cucumber Basil Cooler with ease. Perfect for warm days, this refreshing drink blends cucumber and basil flavors with a splash of gin.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 1 handful of fresh basil leaves
• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 tsp agave syrup
• Ice cubes
• Sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Muddle the chopped cucumber, basil, and agave in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the gin and lemon juice.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and stir for 10 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top with sparkling water.
6. Garnish with basil leaves and cucumber slices.

You can enjoy this refreshing cooler on any hot day. The combination of cucumber and basil offers a unique, cooling experience. Enjoy your Cucumber Basil Cooler!

Basil Daiquiri

The Basil Daiquiri is a refreshing twist on the classic daiquiri. It blends rum, basil, and lime for a fresh, herby kick.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle: In a shaker, muddle the basil leaves with the lime juice.
2. Add Ingredients: Add the white rum, simple syrup, and ice to the shaker.
3. Shake: Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain: Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish: Garnish with a basil leaf and a sprinkle of black pepper on top if desired.

Basil Paloma

The Basil Paloma is a fresh twist on the traditional Paloma cocktail. Using basil adds a unique and aromatic flavor to this refreshing drink.

Ingredients

• 2 basil leaves
• 1 grapefruit segment
• 2 ounces silver tequila
• Juice of ½ lime
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• 3 ounces grapefruit juice
• Soda water
• Garnish: lime wedge

Instructions

1. Muddle Ingredients: In a highball glass, gently muddle 2 basil leaves and 1 grapefruit segment.
2. Add Liquids: Pour in 2 ounces of silver tequila, the juice of ½ lime, and ½ ounce simple syrup. Stir gently.
3. Add Ice and Juice: Fill the glass with ice. Add 3 ounces of grapefruit juice and top with soda water. Stir gently again.
4. Garnish: Finish with a lime wedge for garnish.