A Cucumber Basil Smash cocktail brings fresh garden flavors to the glass. This easy-to-make drink combines muddled cucumber and basil with gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup for a bright and refreshing cocktail.
The drink takes its inspiration from the classic Gin Smash. It adds a modern twist with cool cucumber notes. The combination of herbs and citrus creates a clean, crisp taste perfect for warm afternoons or summer evenings.
This recipe works well for parties and can be made ahead in larger batches. The green color and fresh garnishes make it look as good as it tastes, adding an extra touch of style to any gathering.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Double old-fashioned glass
- Measuring jigger
- Small knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- 3 thin cucumber slices plus 1 for garnish
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Club soda for topping
Instructions
- Place cucumber slices and basil leaves in the cocktail shaker.
- Use the muddler to press and twist the cucumber and basil gently until they release their oils and juice.
- Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Double strain into an ice-filled glass to remove small herb pieces.
- Top with a splash of club soda and stir once.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice and basil leaf.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
The Cucumber Basil Smash delivers a bright, fresh taste that pairs crisp cucumber with aromatic basil. The gin base adds juniper and botanical notes that blend smoothly with the green flavors.
Sweet and sour elements balance nicely, with fresh lime juice providing tartness while simple syrup adds just enough sweetness. The muddled cucumber creates a light, garden-fresh quality.
The drink has a smooth, medium-bodied texture. Tiny bits of muddled basil and cucumber float throughout, adding visual appeal and bursts of herbal flavor.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Fresh cucumber
- Sweet basil
- Citrus tang
- Botanical gin
- Light sweetness
The aroma combines fresh herbs and cool cucumber with subtle gin botanicals. Each sip starts crisp and ends clean with a gentle herbal finish.
The cocktail tastes best ice-cold. As it warms slightly, the basil notes become more pronounced while maintaining the refreshing cucumber character.
Substitute
No cucumber? No problem. Fresh lime juice works great instead. Use 1 ounce of lime juice to replace the muddled cucumber.
Don’t have fresh basil? Mint makes an excellent alternative. Use the same amount of mint leaves as you would basil leaves.
Simple syrup can be swapped with honey syrup or agave nectar. To make honey syrup, mix equal parts honey and warm water.
Replace gin with vodka for a lighter flavor profile. Aquavit or botanical vodka also work well in this cocktail.
Non-alcoholic version:
- Replace gin with cucumber-flavored sparkling water
- Add 1/2 ounce extra lime juice
- Keep the basil and simple syrup amounts the same
For a spicy twist, add 2-3 thin slices of jalapeño when muddling the herbs. First, remove the seeds to control the heat level.
