Cucumber & Basil Gin Smash

by Miriam & Zoey In cocktail, drink 2 Comments

Our gin smash is as refreshing as it looks and is a total must-try cocktail for this hot summer! Crisp cucumber and fresh and aromatic basil complement the Lavender and Juniper gin so well and make for the ultimate cooling cocktail.

We think we’ve really nailed it with this one folks. This gin smash is pretty much the embodiment of summer sipping to us, with a total balance of cool and refreshing flavours. We love using fresh herbs to elevate our cocktails because we find that they bring so much flavour. In our opinion, summer is the best time to use them, with gardens and supermarkets absolutely full of them. All of the components of this delicious drink are simple and readily available, but when shaken together, produce something that you’ll want to sip on all summer long!

The most important part of this drink is the gin. We opted for the Lavender and Juniper Gin from Collective Arts to give both a refined flavour and mild, yet beautiful coloured tint. The combination of the cucumber’s subtlety and basil’s punchy brightness work as a completely harmonious duo. The point of muddling is to thoroughly release the scents and flavours of what is being muddled and it truly makes a difference. Simple syrup is an easy way to add sweetness and a little goes a long way here.

Okay so this is the first time we’ve ever bought bitters and we feel so adulty having them on our bar cart, so we will defs be adding to the collection over the summer. The cucumber bitters are totally optional in this recipe and your drink will still ‘smash’ (haha) without them, but they do give a nice extra hit of cuke freshness if you’re into that.

With just a few ingredients and easy steps, this gin smash will be the star of your outdoor summer living! Go get shaking and get ready to feel cool as a cucumber when you taste the freshness that is this Cucumber & Basil Gin Smash.

Don’t forget to tag us in your creations – @smallkitchenbigplates

Gin & Cucumber Basil Smash

  • Servings: 2 cocktails
  • Print

Our gin smash is as refreshing as it looks and is a total must-try cocktail for this hot summer! Crisp cucumber and fresh and aromatic basil complement the Lavender and Juniper gin so well and make for the ultimate cooling cocktail.

Ingredients

    Simple Syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
    Gin Cocktail
  • 10 thin slices of cucumber
  • Handful of basil leaves
  • 3 ounces Collective Arts Lavender and Juniper Gin
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • 4 drops cucumber bitters, optional
  • Ice
  • club soda, for topping
  • 2 small sprigs basil, for garnish
  • 2 cucumber ribbons, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and combine the sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer for 5 minutes to dissolve the sugar and then turn off heat and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  2. Place the cucumber slices and basil leaves in the bottom of a shaker cup and muddle with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon until the scents are released.
  3. Add the gin, simple syrup, bitters (if using), and ice and shake for a minute.
  4. Add ice into each glass, strain the drink in, top with club soda, and garnish each with a sprig of basil and a cucumber ribbon before sipping.

Notes

  1. We used stemless wine glasses but you can use any type of glassware.
  2. Store leftover simple syrup in a jar in the fridge for up to a month.
  3. The cucumber bitters will give a little extra cucumber flavour to the cocktail but you can leave them out and it will still be super delicious.

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