Lemon Basil Gimlet Cocktail Recipe
This is a bright, refreshing cocktail with gin, lime, and basil. It’s a riff on the classic gimlet, and it’s got a modern vibe.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Citrus juicer
- Cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin London Dry is a safe bet
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves plus more for garnish
- 1 thin lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill your cocktail glass—just fill it with ice and water while you make the drink.
- Put the basil leaves in your shaker and gently muddle them. You want to release the oils, not turn them into mush.
- Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker about three-quarters full with ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside gets frosty.
- Dump the ice water out of your glass.
- Double-strain the drink into your chilled glass.
- Garnish with a basil leaf and a lemon slice.
Notes
Herb-forward gins like Hendrick’s or The Botanist play really nicely with basil here. If you don’t love sweet drinks, you can drop the simple syrup down to ½ oz.
Want a mocktail? Swap the gin for cucumber-infused water or a non-alcoholic gin like Seedlip. It actually works surprisingly well.
You can make the cocktail ahead—just mix everything except the ice and stash it in the fridge for up to 8 hours. When you’re ready, shake with ice and strain.
For a crowd, batch the base (no ice) and keep it cold. When it’s time to serve, shake each drink with fresh herbs for the best flavor.