Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail Recipe

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Looking for a refreshing cocktail to serve at your next gathering? This Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail brings together sweet summer berries, aromatic basil, and the botanical notes of gin for a drink that’s honestly hard not to love.

This simple cocktail only asks for five ingredients: fresh strawberries, basil leaves, gin, lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup.

The bright red color makes it a stunner for warm weather parties or special occasions. Fruity sweetness and herbal notes balance out, so it doesn’t come across as too sweet or too strong—great for cocktail enthusiasts or anyone who just wants something tasty.

Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail Recipe

Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail Recipe
This one is all about the sweetness of fresh strawberries, the aroma of basil, and those classic gin botanicals. It’s a spring or summer drink that really feels like the season.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker with strainer
  • Muddler for crushing the strawberries and basil
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours
  • Bar spoon: for stirring.
  • Highball glass or rocks glass for serving
  • Fine mesh strainer (optional, for removing berry seeds)
  • Cutting board and knife for preparing fruit and herbs

Ingredients

  • For one cocktail you'll want:
  • 2 oz 60ml gin
  • 4-5 fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
  • 5-6 fresh basil leaves plus extra for garnish
  • ¾ oz 22ml fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz 15ml simple syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • Club soda or sparkling water
  • Strawberry slice or basil leaf for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the glass: Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice. Set it aside to chill for a bit.
  • Muddle the produce: Toss the strawberries and basil leaves into your cocktail shaker. Gently muddle them to release flavors and juices, but don’t pulverize everything.
  • Add liquid ingredients: Pour in the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  • Shake well: Add ice to the shaker, pop on the lid, and shake hard for about 15 seconds. The shaker should get nice and cold on the outside.
  • Strain and serve: Strain everything into your prepared glass over fresh ice. For a smoother texture, use a fine mesh strainer to catch those strawberry seeds.
  • Top and garnish: Add a splash of club soda on top. Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice and a basil leaf if you’re feeling fancy.

Notes

Want it sweeter? Add an extra ¼ oz of simple syrup, or swap in honey syrup if that’s more your style.
If you’re skipping alcohol, you can use an alcohol-free gin or just add more club soda and a splash of tonic water for a little extra complexity.
Making simple syrup is easy—combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until dissolved, and let it cool before using.
This drink is best made fresh, since the strawberries and basil lose their punch if they sit too long. That said, you can prep the strawberry-basil mix a few hours ahead and stash it in the fridge, covered.

Must Have Ingredients

Tasting Notes

This Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail strikes a nice balance between sweet and tart. The strawberries bring a natural sweetness that doesn’t overpower the drink.

Basil adds a bright, herbal note that works surprisingly well with gin’s botanicals. It’s got that garden-fresh taste—sophisticated but still very approachable.

The gin’s juniper backbone is there, but it doesn’t take over. If you can, look for gins with a citrus or floral lean; those seem to play best here.

Flavor Profile:

  • First sip: Sweet strawberry with herbal undertones
  • Mid-palate: Gin botanicals emerge
  • Finish: Clean, slightly tart with lingering basil

The texture is smooth and genuinely refreshing, especially if you get it nice and cold. A little ice dilution helps the flavors meld without washing things out.

This is a cocktail that really shines when strawberries are in season—think late spring through summer. Depending on how ripe your berries are, the color can go from pale pink to a deeper rose.

Food pairings that work well include:

  • Light appetizers
  • Goat cheese
  • Grilled chicken
  • Summer salads

The aroma is half the experience. That basil gives off an unexpected, pleasant herbaceous quality that makes this stand out from your average fruit-forward drink.

Substitutes

If you don’t have every single ingredient for a Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of ways to swap things in and still end up with something delicious.

Gin Alternatives:

  • Vodka—gives you a cleaner, more neutral taste.
  • White rum—brings in a touch of sweetness.
  • Tequila blanco—totally different vibe, but honestly, not bad.

No Fresh Strawberries? Here are a few ideas:

  • Frozen strawberries (just thaw them first)
  • Strawberry jam (about a tablespoon does the trick)
  • Strawberry syrup (maybe 2 teaspoons, but hey, taste as you go)

Basil Replacements:

  • Mint leaves—classic and super refreshing.
  • Thyme sprigs—kind of earthy, but it works.
  • Rosemary—go easy, like half as much as basil, unless you’re really into it.

Citrus Options:

  • Lemon juice—swaps in for lime without much fuss.
  • Orange juice—makes it sweeter if that’s your thing.
  • Grapefruit juice—brings a little bite, which is fun.

For a non-alcoholic twist, try swapping out gin for:

  • Cucumber water—super light and fresh.
  • Club soda with a splash of tonic—easy and crisp.
  • Alcohol-free gin alternative—if you’ve got it, why not?

Simple syrup doesn’t have to be, well, simple. You can use honey, agave nectar, or even maple syrup. Just keep in mind, they’re all a bit different in sweetness, so start slow and taste as you mix.

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Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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