Mastiha Basil Recipe

Muddle basil and syrup

Place 6 of the fresh basil leaves and the simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle 6 leaves just enough to release aromatic oils — do not pulverize into a paste, which can make the drink bitter.

Add spirits and citrus

Add the gin, mastiha liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker with the muddled basil.

Shake with ice

Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker is very cold to the touch and well diluted.

Double-strain

Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe or rocks glass using a fine mesh strainer over a Hawthorne/standard strainer to remove small basil bits and ice shards.

Garnish and serve

Express the lemon twist over the drink to release oils, rim the glass with it if desired, then drop the twist or a lemon wheel into the glass. Slap the remaining 2 basil leaves once between your palms to activate aroma and float or skewer them as garnish. Serve immediately.