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Gin Basil Smash

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Since the beginning of the 2000s, a real “gin hype” has been triggered all over the world. From this time on, old gin cocktail recipes (such as Dry Martini, Tom Collins, Gin Fizz or Negroni) became very popular again. In addition, countless new recipes were created. The most famous recipe that emerged at this time is the Gin Basil Smash. The Smash cocktail was invented in Hamburg and conquered the whole world within a few years. Here you can find out all the information and of course the simple recipe of the gin cocktail. We hope you have fun discovering and enjoying it!

Gin Basil Smash Cocktail Recipe

  • 5 cl gin
  • 2.5 cl lemon juice
  • 1.5 cl sugar syrup
  • 10-12 basil leaves

Step by Step Guide

  1. Place basil leaves and gin in a cocktail shaker and muddle with a pestle.
  2. Add all the other ingredients and ice cubes and shake the shaker well.
  3. Strain into a tumbler filled with ice cubes, strain and enjoy.
gin basil smash
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Recipe by Chris
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The preparation of the Gin Basil Smash recipe is very simple. Put the basil leaves and the gin in a cocktail shaker. Crush the leaves with a pestle. Then add all the other ingredients and ice cubes to the cocktail shaker and shake the mix well once. Strain the mix through a bar strainer into a tumbler filled with ice cubes. Before serving, you can grit the Gin Basil Smash with two basil leaves and then serve.

Bar Accessories:

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Pestle
  • Bar strainer
  • Tumbler

The taste profile of the Gin Basil Smash

4.6/5

29 Reviews

The taste of Gin Basil Smash is pleasant, harmonious and balanced. It tastes sweetish and slightly sour. In addition, the taste of basil is very distinct. If you don’t like basil, you should rather prepare another cocktail. The interplay of the various ingredients is unique and can be compared somewhat with the taste of Tom Collins and the Gin Fizz. However, the soda water is missing in the Gin Basil Smash.

The history of the Ginger Basil Smash

Jörg Meyer is considered the inventor of the Gin Basil Smash. In 2008, this bartender from Hamburg wanted to prepare a Smash cocktail with basil. This fresh, harmonious drink was created after Meyer visited New York. There he enjoyed various whisky smashes. On his way back to Germany, he decided that he would also like to prepare a Smash Cocktail. However, he wanted to use gin instead of whisky as the base spirit.

Meyer prepared a drink with gin, basil, lemon juice and sugar syrup. This drink quickly spread around the world from Hamburg. At first it was also called “Gin Pesto”. However, the name “Smash”, which is well-known in the bartending scene, finally prevailed. Today, you can order a Gin Basil Smash in many cocktail bars around the world. This makes the drink one of the few German cocktails to make a name for itself in the worldwide bartending scene.

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Gin Basil Smash - FAQ

What is a Gin Basil Smash?

A Gin Basil Smash is one of the best-known and most popular gin cocktails. It features a neon green colour and a fresh flavour profile. The recipe is easy to prepare and can even be enjoyed in your own home.

How do you prepare it?

Put basil leaves and gin in a cocktail shaker and mash the ingredients with a pestle. Then add sugar syrup and lemon juice and shake the shaker well. Strain the drink through a bar strainer into a tumbler and serve.

How does it taste?

The cocktail tastes incredibly refreshingly sweet and sour. In addition, the taste of basil can be clearly tasted. The harmonious taste profile has already convinced one or two critics. Try it out and see for yourself!

Where and by whom was the cocktail invented?

Contrary to what one might think, the cocktail was invented in Germany, in Hamburg. Jörg Meyer is considered the “father” of the Gin Basil Smash. After a holiday in New York, Meyer also wanted to prepare a Smash Cocktail. The result of this process is the Gin Basil Smash.

What makes the Gin Basil Smash special?

Unlike most cocktails, the drink is prepared with basil. This results in pleasantly fresh basil notes on the one hand and a special, neon green colour on the other. Unique and particularly aromatic.

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