Gin Basil Smash Recipe
langley's gin, ẞаoɩɩкóç basil, σчрóпɩ Záxapηs ⚫ sugar syrup, λɛμóvɩ lemon
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Method
Cocktail
Prepare basil and citrus
Rinse and gently pat dry the basil leaves. Roll one larger leaf between your palms to release aromatic oils and set aside for garnish. Juice fresh lemons until you have 3/4 oz (about 22 ml) of juice and strain to remove pulp and seeds.
Muddle
Place 6–7 basil leaves into a shaker. Add the lemon juice and simple syrup. Using a muddler (or the back of a spoon), press and twist the basil lightly 6–8 times—enough to bruise the leaves and release aroma and oils but not so much that you shred them into bits which can make the drink bitter.
Add gin and ice
Pour 2 oz Langley's gin into the shaker. Add 6 ice cubes (enough for a good chill) and secure the shaker lid.
Shake
Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is very cold and slightly frosted. This both chills and slightly dilutes the drink, integrating the basil, citrus, syrup, and gin.
Strain over crushed ice
Fill a rocks glass or short tumbler with crushed ice. Double-strain the shaken mixture into the glass using both the shaker strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch small basil bits and ice shards. If you prefer more texture, single-strain without the fine mesh.