Basil Gin And Tonic Recipe
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Jump to RecipeThis basil gin and tonic recipe brings a fresh, herby twist on a classic cocktail! It’s bright, herby, tart, and sweet – and a great way to elevate your cocktail game.
A refreshing summer drink with fresh herbs for bright flavor. Start by muddling the basil, shaking it up in a cocktail glass, and adding bright fresh lemon and fizzy tonic water.
Want more refreshing cocktails? Try our hibiscus margarita, grapefruit gimlet, and our favorite blueberry lemonade fizz.
As we are getting into the throws of summer, having a fun refreshing cocktail is a great way to celebrate the season. The fresh grown basil and bright citrus flavors from the lemon are what summertime is all about.
We are growing tons of fresh basil in the garden. It’s one of the herbs we try to have going all year round. Fresh basil is fairly easy to grow and can produce a bounty when it get’s going. I usually add a handful into my honey pesto, chop some up in my pasta alla Siciliana with burrata, and now will save a little extra for this basil gin and tonic!
This Lemon Basil Gin And Tonic is:
- Bright
- Fresh
- Vibrant
- Tart
- Refreshing
- Great to make for one, or scale up for a crowd of people
- the perfect summer drink!
A tall, refreshing classic gin & tonic is my go-to drink to order at a restaurant in the summer. I like ordering gin and tonics because they are usually very consistent from restaurant to restaurant.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Gin of your choice: the brightest, most floral gin if you love herbal flavors, or a mild sweet gin if you just like the juniper flavor.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is always better than the bottled stuff, so use fresh lemons if you got ’em! Also, I like to save a little extra to garnish.
- Fresh Basil: I used fresh Genovese Basil leaves that I grow at home, but any fresh basil variety will work here. I used 5 leaves for 1 drink, but you can use more or less depending on your tastes.
- Tonic Water: I used a normal bottle of tonic, but I know they have some fun craft tonics out there nowadays.
Additions and Variations
- You can use traditional Genovese basil, or also Thai basil for a spicier, herbier kick.
- Switch up your tonic waters – try different flavors if desired.
- Using different floral or citrus-forward gins can give you great flavors.
How To Make a Basil Gin & Tonic
- Fill a large glass with ice and add the gin and lemon juice.
- Muddle the basil leaves in a mortar and pestle (or crush by hand) and add to the glass.
- Top with tonic water and stir well. Add fresh basil or a lemon twist to garnish.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Basil gives a bright, herby flavor which is a great way to add a sophisticated flavor to your cocktail.
Using fresh basil is highly recommended for this recipe, as it provides a bright, aromatic flavor that dried basil can’t bring. However, If you only have dried basil, you can infuse it in the gin for a few hours and then strain it before serving.
Sure – fresh mint or thyme can also add a great flavor to your basil gin and tonic. I add lemon juice but feel free to try out different herb/citrus combinations.
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Basil Gin And Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 5 basil leaves
- 4 ounces tonic water
Instructions
- Fill a large glass with ice and add the gin and lemon juice.
- Muddle the basil leaves in a mortar and pestle (or crush by hand) and add to the glass.
- Top with tonic water and stir well. Add fresh basil or a lemon twist to garnish.
Notes
- You can use traditional Genovese basil, or also Thai basil for a spicier, herbier kick.
- Switch up your tonic waters – try different flavors if desired.
- Using different floral or citrus-forward gins can give you great flavors.
Nutrition
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It’s hot out here and this is just what I need to relax and sip