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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Garnish
Method
Prep
Juice watermelon
If you don't have store-bought watermelon juice, cut 1–2 cups of seedless watermelon into chunks and puree in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl to remove pulp for a clean, bright juice. Measure 3 oz (about 90 ml) of the strained juice for one cocktail.
Make simple syrup (if needed)
If you don't have simple syrup, combine equal parts granulated sugar and hot water (for one cocktail, 0.5 oz simple syrup requires about 0.5 oz sugar dissolved in 0.5 oz water). Stir until sugar dissolves and cool before using.
Build & Mix
Muddle basil
In a cocktail shaker, add 6 fresh basil leaves and the 0.5 oz simple syrup. Gently muddle (press and twist) the basil 6–8 times to release aromatic oils without shredding the leaves into tiny pieces.
Add liquids and ice
Add 2 oz dry gin, 3 oz fresh watermelon juice, and 0.5 oz fresh lime juice to the shaker. Fill the shaker with about 1 cup of ice.
Hard shake
Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the exterior is frosty and well-chilled. This both chills and slightly dilutes the drink for balance.
Strain
Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass filled with fresh ice (use a fine mesh strainer over the cocktail strainer to catch any small basil bits).
Garnish & Serve
Thread the watermelon wedge or cube onto a pick and rest it on the rim or float it in the glass. Clap the basil sprig quickly between your palms to release aroma and place it on top of the drink as a fragrant garnish. Serve immediately.