Bourbon Basil Smash Recipe

Cocktail

1. 1

   Prepare glass

   Chill a rocks glass (or Old Fashioned glass) by filling it with ice and setting aside while you build the cocktail.

2. 2

   Muddle basil

   Place 8 large fresh basil leaves in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Add 0.5 oz simple syrup and 0.5 oz sour mix. Use a muddler to gently press and twist the basil 6–8 times — the goal is to release aromatic oils without shredding leaves into bits.

3. 3

   Add spirits and citrus

   Add 2 oz Maker's Mark Bourbon and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice to the shaker with the muddled basil mixture.

4. 4

   Dry shake (optional)

   If you want more aromatic lift, seal the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 8–10 seconds to further integrate basil aroma with the liquids.

5. 5

   Wet shake

   Add 1 cup cubed ice to the shaker, seal, and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

6. 6

   Prepare serving glass

   Dump the ice from the chilled rocks glass and fill it with 1/2 cup crushed ice.

7. 7

   Strain and serve

   Double-strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over the crushed ice using a fine-mesh strainer to catch basil bits. If you prefer more herb texture, you can single-strain.

8. 8

   Garnish

   Express a lemon twist over the drink to release oils, rim the glass with it if desired, then add the lemon wheel and a small basil sprig as garnish. Serve immediately.

9. 9

   Notes (sour mix substitute)

   If you don't have bottled sour mix, replace the 0.5 oz sour mix + 0.5 oz simple syrup with 1 oz homemade sour: 1/2 oz fresh lime juice + 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice + 1/2 oz simple syrup. Adjust sweetness to taste.